Types Of Heavy Metal Music (Genre & Subgenre Guide)

A look at the expansive world of Heavy Metal
A family tree, with the origins of each subgenre
Also, check out our guide to the most “banned” riffs in guitar stores.

The musical genre of Heavy Metal is incredibly diverse, ranging from captivating melodies to the utmost aggressive sounds. Metal can trace its origins back to the late 1960s and has since given rise to countless subgenres, including micro-genres within them.

With such a complex family tree, it can be daunting for anyone interested in dwelling into Metal to know where to start. With such a vast variety of sounds held under the Heavy Metal umbrella, a guiding hand may be what you need to find your gateway into the headbangers journey.

Our guide will trace its way forward from the roots of the Heavy Metal genre, touching on significant artists, genres, and subgenres. With such an illusive and extensive history, it would be impossible to cover absolutely every aspect of the genre in this brief article, “You can rely on the Metal Archives for that!“. However, rest assured we here at Producer Hive will equip you with what you need to get started in the wonderful world of Heavy Metal.

An Index Of Metal

We will be covering the following topics in our Guide To Heavy Metal

Hard Rock
Traditional Metal
Punk/Hardcore
The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal
Speed Metal
Thrash Metal
Crossover
Glam Metal
Progressive Metal
Power Metal
Doom Metal
Grindcore
Death Metal
Black Metal
Sludge Metal
Groove Metal
Alternative Metal
Gothic Metal
Industrial Metal
Post-Metal
Nu-Metal
Metalcore
Deathcore
Djent
The Origins Of Heavy Metal Itself
Summing Up

1. Hard Rock

Time – late 1960s – early 1970s

Overview

The origins of Heavy Metal Music can largely be traced back to the United Kingdom and USA during the late 1960s. The first use of the term Heavy Metal in regards to this context isn’t entirely known, but many credit it to a lyric found in the 1968 Steppenwolf song “Born To Be Wild.

Metal can find its roots in numerous Rock sub-genre of the 1960s, including Psych-Rock and Blues Rock. Many consider the 1970 release of Black Sabbaths’ self-titled record a profoundly important recording; however, Blue Cheer’s 1968 cover of “Summertime Blues” is an even earlier example of proto-metal.

With the 1970s dawning, the world saw itself encompassed by a new generation of Guitar driven music. Utilizing harder, overdriven sounds and heavier riffs. The likes of Queen, UFO, and Thin Lizzy, among many others, took the foundations laid down by the Blues and Acid Rock bands in the decade prior and pushed the boundaries further toward what would eventually become known as Metal.

Related Subgenres: Blues-Rock, Psych-Rock, Hard Rock, Prog, Electric Jazz-Fusion.

Important Artists: Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer, Led Zeppelin, Iron Butterfly, Deep Purple, Queen, UFO, Thin Lizzy, Hawkwind

2. Traditional Metal

Origin – Early 1970s – 1980s

Overview

Not to be considered a subgenre but moreso the foundation for the genre as a whole, traditional metal came to prominence over the duration of the 70s and 80s, peaking in popularity in the later decade. Traditional metal distinguishes itself from hard rock in numerous ways, including the increased virtuosity of the musicians involved and a more intense approach to songcraft.

Lyrical themes in Traditional Metal are generally of an escapist nature, borrowing from fantasy, horror, and surrealist themes. However, some bands do focus on societal or political issues drawing inspiration from concepts further based on reality.

Serving as the foundation for all of the subgenres that branch of it, Traditional Metal has endured a strong cult following over the decades, with many revivalist bands playing in this style well into the current decade.

Related Subgenres: Hard Rock, NWOBHM, Speed Metal, Neoclassical Metal, Power Metal, Thrash Metal

Notable Artists: Judas Priest, Dio, Motörhead, Ozzy Osbourne, Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, Savatage, Manowar

3. Punk/Hardcore

Origin – Late 1970s

Overview

The next significant development in relation to the genre was to follow via the punk movement in the UK. A firm middle finger to the hippie generation of the 1960s, the arrival of The Sex Pistols’ debut LP “Nevermind The Bollocks” in 1977 captivated the minds and imaginations of a generation of disenchanted youth with its anti-authoritarian themes.

With the original Punk movement fizzling out almost as soon as it started, the 1980s saw the rise of a more extreme extension of 70s Punk Rock in Hardcore. Rising to prominence via US bands such as Minor Threat, Black Flag, The Middle Class, and Bad Brains. The movement also saw acts that were equally as influential rise from the UK and Europe, including the likes of Discharge, Chaos UK, Anti-Cimex, Varukers, and Disorder.

Though Punks and Metal heads would stand divided until later brought together by the development of subgenres such as Crossover Thrash, and later Hardcore, Metal would find considerable influence from Punk music and its associated culture. Interestingly this influence would also filter from Metal back into Punk, with many notable bands releasing Metal Records during the 80s.

Related Subgenres: Modern Hardcore, Oi, Post-Punk, Crust Punk, Anarcho Punk, D-Beat, NYHC, Crossover, Metallic Hardcore, Post-Hardcore, New Wave.

Notable Artists: The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Stooges, Sham 69, Black Flag, Discharge, Minor Threat, Chaos U.K, Bad Brains

4. The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal

Origin – Late 1970’s

Overview

Commonly abbreviated to NWOBHM, the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal saw its genesis in Britain during the mid-70s, quickly rising to worldwide acclaim by the early 1980s. This saw the NWOBHM rising to prominence as the original Punk movement was breathing its last breath.

Further expanding on the hard rock of the 70s, the NWOBHM played a profound role in influencing future genres such as Thrash Metal, Speed Metal, and Death Metal. The movement was also very important from a cultural perspective as it introduced the rise of independent Metal labels and a DIY approach similar to what was seen in Punk/Hardcore subcultures of the time. This led to a spread of raw, self-produced recordings that would be traded amongst the underground.

Bands such as Iron Maiden and Def Leppard are two bands from the NWOBHM movement that became international stars. Other acts such as Venom, Raven, Diamond Head, and Tank remained underground sensations but had a profound influence on future bands, releasing records and touring long after the initial NWOBHM boom.

Related Subgenre: Speed Metal, Hard Rock, Pub Rock, Thrash Metal, Black Metal, NWOAHM

Notable Artists: Virtue, Tank, Diamond Head, Witchfynde, Iron Maiden, Venom, Raven, Angelwitch, Budgie

5. Speed Metal

Origin – Early 1980s

Overview

Rising from the NWOBHM Speed Metal can be seen as the gap bridging Traditional Metal and the higher octane Thrash Metal that would come to prominence in the later 80s. As the name implies, Speed Metal encompasses faster tempos ramping up the intensity from its predecessor styles.

From this point on, a common theme amongst emerging subgenres will be an innate desire to push the boundaries to some extent. Whether it be in intensity, virtuosity, technicality, simplicity, or any other means of expanding on what was previously established, Metal subgenres constantly strive to achieve new ideas by building upon what earlier bands had established prior.

The Judas Priest song “Exciter” off of 1979’s “Stained Class” album is considered an early example of the speed Metal Genre, along with Queen’s “Stone Cold Crazy” being considered by many as a proto- Speed Metal Song. Speed Metal was quickly rivaled by the increased intensity of Thrash and Early Death Metal; however, many notable records from the early 80s are revered for their influence on future bands and sub-genre.

Related Subgenre: Thrash Metal, Traditional Metal, Power Metal, Death Metal, Black Metal, Crossover

Notable Artists: Exciter, Flotsam and Jetsam, Anvil, Helloween (Early), Agent Steel, Cacophony, Angel Dust, Helstar, Paradox

6. Thrash Metal

Origin- early 1980s

Overview

Thrash Metal combines the attitude of NWOBHM greats like Angel Witch and Diamond Head with the ferocity and political awareness of Hardcore Punk bands such as Discharge and GBH. This combination makes for a more aggressive form of Metal, immediately distinguishing it from the Speed Metal that had taken prominence prior.

Thrash Metal is also notable for its lyrical themes, a departure from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy cliches established by many Traditional Metal bands. Thrash would focus on a variety of topics, including dissatisfaction with the Government, the threat of nuclear war, religion, and other topics relating to social and political issues.

With prominent scenes in the USA and Europe, Thrash Metal would rapidly grow into an international phenomenon. In turn, laying the groundwork for many of the Extreme Metal genres that would subsequently follow, such as Death Metal and Black Metal.

Related Subgenre: Death Metal, Black Metal, Power Metal, Groove Metal, Speed Metal, Crossover Thrash, Hardcore Punk, Black-Thrash, Death-Thrash

Notable Artists: Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Exodus, Kreator, Destruction, Sepultura (Early), Nuclear Assault, Vio-Lence

7. Crossover

Origin- Early 1980s

Overview

Although there was some cross-influence, Metal, and Punk/Hardcore remained distinct music genres in the early 1980s. Fans of each often held animosity towards the other, displaying disapproval of the opposing genre. The emergence of the Crossover genre finally saw unity between both sides that eliminated much of the conflict that had existed prior.

Crossover as a genre term generally refers to Crossover Thrash which was established in the Early 80s by bands such as D.R.I from Texas. However, it is worth mentioning that in the decades since Metal has seen countless examples of cross-pollination inspired by the first wave of Crossover Thrash, “Thrash and Hardcore,” including Death-Thrash, Black-Death, Grindcore, and Black Thrash.

Even more modern styles, such as Deathcore and Metalcore, can trace their roots back to the initial rise of Crossover in the 1980s. The influence was also prominent on the Punk and Hardcore side of things giving rise to sub-genres such as Powerviolence.

Related Subgenre: Grindcore, Powerviolence, Metalcore, Nardcore, Thrash Metal, Death Metal, Hardcore Punk, Black Metal, Speed Metal

Notable Artists: D.R.I, Cryptic Slaughter, S.O.D, Crumbsuckers, Suicidal Tendencies, Beowülf, Dr.Know, The Accüsed, Carnivore

8. Glam Metal

Origin – 1980s

Overview

While a period in the 1980s saw Metal and Punk/Hardcore finally making amends, the rise of LA Glam Metal represented a new enemy for the discerning Metalhead. Combining the virtuosity and showmanship of Van Halen with the glitter of The New York Dolls, Glam Metal infused these elements with pop-influenced songcraft that hadn’t been apparent in the Metal genre prior (outside of a select few hard rock acts).

The result saw this sub-genre of Heavy Metal reach an unprecedented height of mainstream popularity during the 1980s despite it being utterly disowned by the Thrash/Speed Metal demographic that was living alongside it. Bands such as Motley Crue took the rockstar cliches established in the late 1960s to a new level with infinite accounts of debauchery and destruction only further increasing the sensationalism surrounding Glam Metal during this period.

Unfortunately, the wild ride was quick to end as the onset of 90s Alternative and Grunge pulled the plug on Glam Metal. This caused many of its biggest acts to abandon the style entirely for the remainder of the decade, with the genre enduring some revivalist movements in the decades since.

Related Subgenre: Glam Rock, Pop, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Visual Kei

Notable Artists: RATT, W.A.S.P, Mötley Crüe, Warrant, Poison, Shotgun Messiah, Dokken, Bon Jovi, Loudness

9. Progressive Metal

Origin – mid 1980s

Overview

Finding its roots in the 1980s with pioneers like Watchtower, Fates Warning, and Queensrÿche, progressive metal wouldn’t come into full force until the 1990s. During this period, Progressive Metal was subsequently brought into the collective consciousness of Metal fans internationally by bands such as Dream Theater and Symphony X.

Borrowing from more Traditional Progressive Rock, such as Rush and King Crimson, many Progressive Metal bands would also look towards Jazz Fusion bands, such as Return To Forever, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and The Tony Williams Lifetime, for inspiration.

Blending these sounds with Traditional Metal, Thrash Metal, and Death Metal, a large number of Sub-Genres fall under the Progressive Metal umbrella, with more modern acts such as Animals As Leaders representing the style in the current age.

Related Subgenre: Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, Death Metal, Jazz-Fusion, Progressive Rock, Math Metal, Neoclassical Metal, Classical , Djent

Notable Artists: Watchtower, Fates Warning, Cynic, Athiest, Dream Theater, Symphony X,Queensrÿche, Animals As Leaders

1o. Power Metal

Origin – 1980s

Overview

Power Metal can trace its roots back to the late 1970s when Ronnie James Dio laid down much of the foundations used to establish the genre later on. The soaring melodies and anthemic choruses of Iron Maiden can also be considered a profound influence on the genre, which has a heavy emphasis on providing an epic and uplifting experience for the listener more than relying on pure aggression.

Power Metal vocals tend to be of a clean variety and almost operatic in tone, with the genre placing a huge emphasis on melody as a whole. The lyrical content is often based on themes of camaraderie, hope, and mythology set within fantasy tomes. Often bands will base their lyrical themes on literature, with writers like Tolkien and Goethe being particular favorites.

Power Metal itself has spawned numerous subgenres, including Folk and Pirate, perhaps the most notable being Symphonic.

Related Subgenre: Symphonic Metal, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, Pirate Metal, Folk Metal, Hard Rock, Speed Metal, Neoclassical Metal

Notable Artists: Helloween, Blind Guardian, Alestorm, Dream Evil, Stratovarius, Kamelot, Edguy, Sonata Arctica

11. Doom Metal

Origin – 1970s

Overview

Doom Metal is a sub-genre strongly influenced by the early works of Black Sabbath, with early progenitors of the genre including the likes of Witchfinder General, Trouble, Pentagram, and Saint Vitus. Doom focuses heavily on combining slow lumbering tempos with down-tuned bluesy riffs.

Doom vocals owe much to the style established by Ozzy Osbourne, with no apprehension about incorporating psychedelic effects into the vocal mix. There is also the Epic Doom vocal style which tends to be much more operatic, strongly associated with Messiah Marcolin of the Swedish Epic Doom band Candlemass.

The genre has enjoyed much cross-pollination since its inception, with numerous crossover genres sprouting up, such as Death-Doom, Black-Doom, Progressive Doom, and many others.

Related Subgenre: Blues Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Stoner Metal, Sludge Metal, Death-Doom, Black-Doom, Progressive-Doom, Funeral Doom, Drone Metal, Gothic Doom, Desert Rock

Notable Artists: Black Sabbath (Early), Trouble, Saint Vitus, Pentagram, Witchfinder General, Candlemass, Church Of Misery, Electric Wizard,

12. Grindcore

Origin – mid-1980s

Overview

Grindcore is an extreme fusion genre that blends various forms of extreme metal with hardcore punk; many would consider the originators of the genre to be the British bands Napalm Death and Carcass, while Repulsion, Nausea (LA), and Terrorizer in the USA also contributed seminal early recordings to the genre.

Two characteristic sounds that can be found in most Grindcore are an intense vocal style that can range from guttural growls to intense high shrieks, and the incorporation of the Blast Beat. While numerous types of Blast Beats exist in the current age, the original beat consisted of a rapidly alternating kick and snare drum with a cymbal hit on every kick. The music generally aims for extremely fast tempos punctuated with down-tuned guitar riffs and distorted basslines.

Napalm Death is credited with coining the term Blast Beat; however, it is worth noting that such beat patterns existed outside of Extreme Music since the 1970s. American Jazz Drummer Tony Williams performed the Technique in 1979, and other instances of it appear in Jazz even earlier. The first occurrence of a Blast Beat in a Metal-related context is a topic of much dispute. However, hardcore punk band D.R.I feature some blasting on their 1983 debut, and the Swedish Hardcore band Asocial also incorporated some blast beats on their 1982 demo.

Related Subgenre: Hardcore Punk, Crust punk, Thrash Metal, Death Metal, Powerviolence, Goregrind, Pornogrind, Cybergrind, Thrashcore, Industrial, Anarcho Punk, Noisecore

Notable Artists: Napalm Death, Carcass, Extreme Noise Terror, Repulsion, Terrorizer, Sore Throat, Insect Warfare, S.O.B, Discordance Axis

13. Death Metal

Origin – The early 1980s

Overview

Death Metal is an Extreme Metal subgenre that can trace its roots back to the early 1980s, with proto-death and black metal bands such as Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, and Bathory laying the early foundations for the genre. The first use of the term Death Metal can be found as a track title on Possessed’s seminal 1985 release “Seven Churches”, though It is a much-disputed topic as to whether “Seven Churches” or Death’s debut LP “Scream Bloody Gore” is the first “true” Death Metal” Album.

The genre usually makes use of fast blast beats as found in grindcore and guttural vocals, essentially an expansion of the aggression established by Thrash Metal bands of the 1980s. By 1990 Death Metal had essentially taken over the focus of the Extreme Metal consciousness, which was a stark contrast to that of the Thrash-obsessed 80s.

The Death Metal genre in itself is extremely broad, with a plethora of styles spreading off of the initial Death Metal boom of the late 1980s. For example, Progressive Death Metal incorporates elements of outside genres such as Jazz Fusion. Another example can be found in Brutal Death Metal which is a style that exists to further accentuates the technicality, song arrangements, and overall aggression established by the earlier wave of Death Metal Bands.

Related Subgenre: Thrash Metal, Black-Death, Death-Thrash, Brutal Death Metal, Progressive Death Metal, Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Grindcore, Slam Death Metal, Goregrind, Technical Death Metal, Deathcore, Death N Roll, War Metal

Notable Artists: Morbid Angel, Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, Death, Nocturnus, Cryptopsy, Gorguts, Entombed

14. Black Metal

Origin: Early 1980s

Overview

Much like Death Metal, Black Metals’ roots can be traced back to early 1980s Extreme Metal bands such as Celtic Frost, Slayer, and Bathory. However, both styles separated in the early 1990s with second-wave Black Metal bands such as Mayhem, Immortal, Darkthrone, and Emperor expressing disdain for the flourishing international Death Metal Scene of the early 1990s. This was due to the latter feeling that the Death Metal style was becoming too mainstream.

Second-wave Black Metal is notable for its emphasis on stripping things down to the bare essentials. The production quality of many releases from this period were deliberately under-engineered, a conscious effort to rebel against the many studio productions that were arriving on import via the American Death Metal scene. Another element of the Second Wave of Norwegian Black Metal bands was their adoption of corpse paint, an extension of what was established by artists like King Diamond during the 1980s.

Black Metal has since expanded into a plethora of sub-genres that all inhibit their own characteristic traits. The main factor connecting different subgenres of Black Metal are an emphasis on atmosphere and a deliberately dark aesthetic.

Related Subgenre: Ambient Black Metal, Black Doom, Depressive Suicidal Black Metal, Black n’ Roll, Blackened Death Metal, Death Metal, Blackened Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, Folk Black Metal, Blackgaze, Unblack Metal, Symphonic Metal

Notable Artists: Mayhem, Darkthrone, Immortal, Cradle Of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Bathory, Dissection, Blasphemy, Von

15. Sludge Metal

Origins: Mid 1980s

Overview

A combination of Doom Metal and Hardcore Punk, the Melvins from Washington, USA, produced the first Sludge Metal albums during the mid to late 1980s. Another seminal recording related to the genesis of this sub-genre can be found on the B-Side of Hardcore Punk band Black Flags’ 1984 LP My War. The main thing that differentiates Sludge Metal from Doom or Stoner is the fast frenetic bursts of Hardore-like energy that are laid in between the slow down tuned sections. These intermittent bursts of speed are omitted from Doom and Stoner Metal entirely.

Sludge Metal saw considerable growth in the region of New Orleans, with a number of notable bands in the genre hailing from this region. It is also worth noting that some Sludge Metal bands incorporate Southern Rock influences into their music which is a subtle departure from the straight Blues that can be found in a lot of Doom and Stoner Metal.

The lyrical content in Sludge Metal is often borrowed from Hardcore Punk, with some other elements thrown in. Notably, the style gained considerable traction in the early 1990s when Groove Metal band Pantera nearing the height of their success, championed numerous Sludge Metal bands in interviews, even taking some Sludge Metal bands out on the road with them on large-scale tours.

Related Subgenre: Hardcore Punk, Doom Metal, Stoner Metal, Extreme Metal, Blues Rock, Southern Rock, Grunge, Groove Metal

Notable Artists: Melvins, Eyehategod, Crowbar, Acid Bath, Iron Monkey, Down, Blood Circus, Buzzoven, Graves At Sea

16. Groove Metal

Origin: Early 1990s

Overview

Groove Metal is a sub-genre of Heavy Metal music that came into prominence during the 1990s, New Orleans Thrash Metal band Exhorder is often credited with laying down the foundation for the sub-genre. Texas Heavy Metal band Pantera subsequently catapulted the style into the mainstream over the course of the 1990s.

Perhaps the most notable aspect of Groove Metal was that it was essentially the main life source of Metal in the mainstream during the 1990s until the complete arrival of Nu Metal later in the decade. With the rise of alternative culture and trends such as Grunge, the general public became disinterested in the glitz and glamor of 80s Glam as well as the aggression of Thrash. Despite gaining considerable cult followings during the early 1990s, Extreme Metal subgenres such as Black and Death Metal remained relatively underground so Groove Metal is what kept the genre in the public consciousness during this decade.

The genre saw a revival during the 2000s with the New Wave Of American Heavy Metal bands such as Lamb Of God and Devildriver taking heavy influence from the bands that tread before them during the 1990s.

Related Subgenre: Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal, NWOAHM, Industrial Metal, Nu Metal, Alternative Metal

Notable Artists: Pantera, Exhorder, Prong, Machine Head “Early”, Lamb Of God, Devildriver, White Zombie, Hellyeah, Damageplan

17. Alternative Metal

Origin: Mid-1980s

Overview

With traditional metal styles temporarily going out of vogue in the early to mid-1990s, there was a sudden influx of Alternative Metal acts that incorporated genre cross-pollination in ways not previously seen within any Metal Related Subgenre. With much influence coming from Alternative Rock, amongst other genres.

Late 80s records issued by bands such as The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Janes Addiction laid the framework for the Funk Metal subgenre that would come into fruition during the early 1990s with bands such as Infectious Grooves and Fishbone. Bands linked to the Alternative and Grunge movements of the early 1990s, such as Soundgarden, were also known to incorporate elements of Heavy Metal into their music.

Avant Garde Metal acts such as Mr. Bungle can also fit comfortably under the Alternative Metal Umbrella. As a matter of fact, this band is directly linked to another Alt Metal heavyweight, Faith No More, who would incorporate a plethora of influences into their music, including Funk, Classical, Easy Listening, Hip Hop and Electronica.

Related Subgenre: Funk Metal, Avant Garde Metal, Grunge, Hardcore Punk, Thrash Metal, Hip Hop, Electronica, Nu Metal, Alternative, Progressive Metal

Notable Artists: Infectious Grooves, Mr. Bungle, Faith No More, Janes Addiction, CKY, Primus, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Deftones,

18. Gothic Metal

Origin: Early 1990s

Overview

Gothic Metal fuses Heavy Metal with the dark atmosphere and imagery of Gothic Rock. Bands such as Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, and Anathema are all credited with being the genesis of this style although they were previously connected with other subgenres such as Death and Doom Metal.

Perhaps the most well-known Gothic Metal band was Type O Negative, who hailed from New York. Type O Negative enjoyed considerable success over the course of the 1990s, releasing numerous full-length albums and touring extensively into the early 2000s. The term “Gothic” entered the heavy metal consciousness officially when Paradise Lost titled their Sophomore LP with this word in 1991.

Many Goth Metal groups draw inspiration from 80s Goth bands like Bauhaus, Siouxsie and The Banshees, Christian Death, and The Sisters Of Mercy. They blend the Bela Lugosi aesthetics and sonic textures of these earlier bands with the Heavy Metal sounds of early Black Sabbath and other influences.

Related Subgenre: Death Metal, Doom Metal, Death Doom, Goth Rock, Hardcore Punk, Nu Wave, Post Punk, Avant Garde Metal, Symphonic Metal, Pop Metal, Nu Metal

Notable Artists: Paradise Lost, Anathema, My Dying Bride, Type O Negative, Tristania, Evanescence, Lacuna Coil, HIM, Cradle Of Filth (Later)

19. Industrial Metal

Origin- 1980s

Overview

Industrial Metal combines the Industrial and noise-based music established by experimental acts such as Throbbing Gristle and Einstürzende Neubauten with a variety of Heavy Metal subgenres, “most regularly extreme metal”. Other 80s bands, such as Big Black and Killing Joke, played a vital role in establishing the cross-pollination of Punk and Industrial music, laying the foundations for Industrial Metal to come to full fruition during the 90s.

Godflesh from the UK are a profoundly influential act in relation to the rise of Industrial Metal; the band found themselves on the classic Earache Records label roster during the late 1980s. This placed them alongside seminal Death Metal and Grindcore bands like Napalm Death, Bolt Thrower, and Morbid Angel, in turn resulting in Godlfesh serving as a viable gateway for Metal Fans to get into the Industrial Subgenre.

During the mid-1990s, Industrial Metal gained significant commercial success with the release of Fear Factory’s “Demanufacture” album. With the support of Rhys Fulber, a renowned producer from Front Line Assembly and Noise Circuit, the album became one of the top-selling Metal records of the decade. This achievement brought the genre of Industrial Metal to a broader audience than ever before with bands like Rammstein, Ministry, and Rammstein further expanding the commercial success of the subgenre further into the 1990s.

Related Subgenre: Death Metal, Thrash Metal, Grindcore, Nu Metal, Experimental Metal, Industrial, Gabber, Techno, Noise, Avant-Garde Metal, Alternative Metal, Groove Metal, Synth Metal, Gothic Metal, Coldwave

Notable Artists: Fear Factory, Godflesh, KMFDM, Ministry, Malhavoc, Rammstein, Nailbomb, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails

20. Post-Metal

Origins – 1990s

Overview

Post Metal is a sub-genre that willingly explores sounds and compositional elements that would not typically be associated with traditional Metal conventions. Very much similar to the Post-Punk and Post-Hardcore subgenres that were established prior and alongside Post Metal itself. Important artists related to the roots of the Post-Metal subgenre include the likes of Neurosis, Godflesh, and Helmet. These bands strove to achieve Heavy Metal textures while utilizing a broad range of other influences that might not have been openly associated with the Genre previously.

Outside elements that can be incorporated into Post Metal include Ambient, Classical, Noise, and Progressive styles, which make it a close relative to other subgenres such as Industrial Metal and Alternative Metal. The main differentiating factor is the way in which many Post Metal bands will aim to incorporate elements of Psychedelia into their music in a similar fashion to the Art Rock bands of previous generations.

Post Metal is one of the few Metal genres that will openly set aside the common pursuit of “Heavyness” or aggression in order to prioritize other elements of musicality, such as atmosphere or artistic experimentation.

Related Subgenres: Noise, Shoegaze, Post Punk, Ambient, Electronica, Classical, Jazz, Art Rock, Avant-Garde Metal, Doom Metal, Punk Hardcore, Doomgaze, Post Hardcore, Post Rock, Drone,Heavy Metal

Notable Artists: Godflesh, Pelican, Neurosis, Russian Circles, Deafheaven, Jesu, Rosetta, Isis, Boris

21. Nu Metal

Origin- 1990s

Overview

An expansion of Alternative Metal Nu Metal came into prominence throughout the 1990s, peaking in popularity at the end of the decade around 2000. American band Korn is a prominent force in relation to the genre and an early contributor, having released their debut LP in 1994 to critical acclaim. This LP is also widely considered the first “real” Nu Metal album, opening the floodgates for other genre heavyweights such as Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, and Slipknot to slip in later in the decade.

Nu Metal incorporates a variety of influences ranging from Industrial, Goth, Funk, and Hip Hop, among other traditional Heavy Metal and Hardcore Punk subgenres. The genre garnered numerous artists that would subsequently go forward to achieve mainstream success until the end of the momentum of the initial movement around 2003.

Nu Metal is generally ignored by the vast majority of Metal circles who do not consider it a true Metal subgenre due in part to its mainstream success and alternative aesthetics. However, the genre has seen a resurgence in interest since 2015, cross-pollinating with other genres such as Metalcore and pop.

Related Subgenre: Industrial Metal, Hip Hop, Funk, Heavy Metal, Groove Metal, Alternative Metal, Rap Metal, Pop Metal, Gothic Rock, Gothic Metal

Notable Artists: Korn, Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, P.O.D, Linkin Park, Kittie, Static X, Orgy, Staind, Mudvayne

22. Metalcore

Time – Mid-1990s

Overview

The 90s answer to the Crossover Thrash of the 1980s, Metalcore saw its popularity peak during the 2000s with bands such as Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, and Shadows Fall riding at the forefront of the movement. The roots of the 2000s Metalcore sound can be traced back to a number of Melodic Death Metal albums issued during the mid-1990s, such as “Heartwork” by British extreme metal band Carcass and Swedish Melodeath band At The Gates’s seminal “Slaughter Of The Soul”.

The combination of these Melodic Death Metal Influences with the sounds of 1990s Metallic Hardcore bands such as Disembodied, Integrity, Ringworm, All Out War, and Earth Crisis is what differentiates Metalcore from the Crossover of previous generations and, in turn, saw a new era of cross-pollination between Metal and Hardcore Punk.

The rise of Deathcore during the 2010s saw a considerable decrease in the interest in 00s Metalcore. However, a number of the subgenre’s most successful acts are still touring and releasing new material in the current decade.

Related Subgenre: Melodic Death Metal, Metallic Hardcore, Crossover, Nu Metal, Groove Metal, NWOAHM, Hardcore Punk, Thrash Metal, NYHC, Beatdown Hardcore

Notable Artists: Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, Shadows Fall, Parkway Drive, Darkest Hour, Atreyu, Trivium, August Burns Red

23. Deathcore

Origin: Late 90s

Overview

Deathcore originates from the early 1990s in which Hardcore bands such as End Of One, Darkside NYC, Goatamentise, and others began incorporating Death Metal riffs, guttural vocals, and blast beats into more traditional hardcore structures. In reverse, a considerable amount of Death Metal Bands, particularly Brutal Death Metal Bands hailing from the New York Scene, such as Internal Bleeding, Dehumanized, and Pyrexia, began to take considerable influence from Hardcore bands in the NYHC scene.

The first use of the term Deathcore has been attributed to NYC Mayhem, who coined the term to describe their blend of Thrash Metal and frenetic Hardcore during the 1980s. However, when most refer to Deathcore, they are referring to the style which took prominence in the late 2000s and 2010s as an extension of Metalcore. This style of Deathcore incorporates Blast Beats, Guttural Vocals, and some aspects of Death Metal guitar riffing with the heavy breakdowns and other compositional elements commonly associated with both Metallic Hardcore and Metalcore.

Numerous bands in the Modern Deathcore style have seen considerable success over the course of their careers, the likes of which include Suicide Silence, White Chapel, and Despised Icon.

Related Subgenre: Death Metal, Hardcore Punk, Metallic Hardcore, Beatdown Hardcore, Grindcore, Nu Metal, NYHC, Brutal Death Metal, Slam Death Metal

Notable Artists: Whitechapel, Suicide Silence, The Acacia Strain, Despised Icon, Job For a Cowboy, The Red Shore, Carnifex, Thy Art Is Murder, All Shall Perish

24. Djent

Origin: Mid-1990s

Overview

Djent is a sub-genre of Progressive Metal characterized by its use of complex and syncopated rhythms. Pioneered by the Swedish Metal band Meshuggah “though they choose to claim no association”, Djent as a style came into considerable prominence throughout the late 2000s and 2010s when bands such as Periphery, Animals As Leaders, and Textures brought the style to public attention as its own genre.

Since then, the Djent scene has grown considerably. However, it has also come under some scrutiny, with many debating whether the style is worthy of its own subgenre at all. This is due to the fact that many feel that any music that falls under the Djent umbrella already has a place among Progressive Metal tropes and that the term Djent is merely a passing fad.

Nonetheless, the style continues to be championed by its own following, with new bands joining the movement regularly. One can surmise that bands that fall under the Djent subgenre share enough sonic characteristics to give legitimacy to Djent being its own genre, so the distinction is really up to the listener at this point in time.

Related Subgenre: Math Metal, Technical Metal, Progressive Metal, Alternative Metal, Mathcore, Extreme Metal, Avantgarde Metal, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, Metalcore, Progressive Metalcore

Notable Artists: Meshuggah, Periphery, Animals as Leaders, Textures, Tesseract, Polyphia, Monuments, Intervals, Northlane

The Origins Of Metal Music Itself

The origins of heavy metal music are hotly contested.

Some metalheads point to a particular band or a few bands making music around the same time and call them the first metal band(s), whereas others might indicate a trend of proto-metal groups that pursued the heavier sounds that paved the way for metal.

Still, others go way back to the 19th century, when the music of the late Romantic era made use of darker tonalities and the type of chromaticism employed in metal a century later. As far as the first self-proclaimed “heavy metal” bands go, it gets a little complicated.

The question of who first coined the term “heavy metal” is hotly contested.

Deena Weinstein, a professor of sociology at DePaul University and the author of a number of books on Metal wrote about her search for the origins of the term “heavy metal” in Just So Stories: How Heavy Metal Got Its Name—A Cautionary Tale (2014).

The term is also attributed by quite a few people to Naked Lunch, a 1959 novel by the beat author William Burroughs. This is one of those strange situations in which a lot of people remember something that did not actually happen. However, the term “heavy metal” does not ever occur in the book.

However, it does appear in the Nova trilogy in the form of “Uranium Willy the Heavy Metal Kid,” a character who appears throughout the three novels by Burroughs.

This is clearly more a reference to the periodic table than to anything particularly musical, but the vibe might match with the values that would later be incorporated into the musical and cultural aesthetics of heavy metal.

The most likely first user of the term “heavy metal” in the context of talking about a genre of music comes from the community of music writers in the 1960s and 70s.

Lester Bangs and Mike Saunders, both writing for Creem in the 60s and 70s, among other publications, used “heavy metal” as a disparaging adjective for the music they did not much care for.

Thus, a term that began as an insult meant to turn an audience away from a record rather than towards it came to define a genre. The question that remains is, which band was the first to embrace the genre, warts and all, to become the first metal band in name, and not only in sound?

Plenty of listeners point to popular groups whose sounds got heavier in the late sixties and early seventies. Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple are some go-to’s in this category. The first bands to claim the title, though, were later Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden. Plenty of groups have been included under the heavy metal music umbrella post-facto, as well.

For the history buffs in here, why not also check out my post on the origins of music itself?

Summing Up

When it comes right down to it, metal is especially resistant to categorization.

These are some of the big ones when it comes to all types of metal music, but I don’t know of anyone who would be comfortable saying definitively, “There are exactly _____ genres of metal” because this music is not top-down: it is grassroots.

Right this very minute, someone is sitting in a basement in the midwest developing a new genre of metal, and if the first wave of black metal is any indication of how these things work, they won’t even know that they invented a genre until fifteen years from now, five years after the rest of us first hear their stuff.

The amount of hybridization within the metal community makes it equally resistant to categorization but is one of the hallmarks of a strong, sustainable ecosystem. In this way, metal is the solution to musical monoculture.

While a single blight or bark beetle could take out all of the top 40 in one, fell swoop, metal is resistant due to the sheer number and interconnectivity of its influences, the secret to its persistence.

It is a web, where pulling one strand leads to a knot and another strand, and another, and another.

There can be no experts on this music, only students; thus, I hope, speaking as one student to another, that this article has been informative and entertaining, and you will be more encouraged than disappointed to read that when it comes to the question, “how many types of metal music are there?” the answer is “fortunately, very many, with more added all the time.”

Have a favorite metal subgenre that we didn’t include on the list? Let us know in the comments below!