Heavy metal music has long been associated with decadence and excess, yet scholars and fans generally accept that its definition began with Steppenwolf’s 1968 hit song, “Born to Be Wild”. The song featured an innovative guitar sound along with lyrics discussing sexuality and debauchery – characteristics characteristic of heavy metal that has since come to define its genre.
Metal music captured the hearts and imagination of young people worldwide with its raw energy and emotive lyrics, becoming an internationally popular subculture that inspired numerous subgenres while uniting fans around the globe.
Origins
Metal music was first popular in the UK during the 1960s, influenced by rock and psychedelic genres. Bands during this time experimented with distortion and amplified sounds on their guitars to produce heavy metal songs; bands also introduced fantasy- and mythology-themed lyrics into their songs to further differentiate this music genre and establish its sound signature – something still happening today with heavy metal.
Metal began as a subgenre of rock music; however, over time it evolved into its own genre. Today, metal has become an international phenomenon that has inspired various other musical styles and sub-genres alike. Furthermore, it provides an expressive outlet and sense of community to its followers while at the same time encouraging resilience and rebellion against social norms.
There are various theories as to the birth of metal music. According to one theory, Black Sabbath may have been the pioneers of heavy metal when they released Very Heavy, Very Ull in February 1970 and Paranoid later that same year. Later in the decade however, other bands such as Uriah Heep and Deep Purple began producing albums arguably classified as heavy metal albums.
One theory suggests that heavy metal’s roots lie in blues music. Bands such as The Rolling Stones, Yardbirds and Animals all utilized blues scales in their music while musicians such as Jimi Hendrix and Jefferson Airplane pioneered amplified distortion on electric guitars that eventually gave rise to heavy metal music. These innovations contributed significantly towards its creation.
Notably, many original members of these bands came from working class backgrounds. Growing up in industrial areas across England shaped their sound; steam hammers and steel foundries could often be heard rumbling away at steel foundries nearby.
Influences
Heavy metal music emerged during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Deriving from blues rock and psychedelic rock genres, heavy metal is defined by distorted guitars, emphatic drums, and loudness. Some scholars consider Black Sabbath’s debut album from February 1970 as being the pioneering heavy metal album; its dark sound, occult-themed lyrics and powerful vocal styles of drummer Bill Ward and bassist Geezer Butler helped to define its genre.
Metal music draws influence from multiple areas and has evolved into various subgenres, making for a complex genre to define precisely. While its definition may be subjective, many experts agree that metal features songs with distorted guitars, harsh vocals, power chords and minor scales. Metal also typically has heavy guitar sounds with complex chord structures and power drumming as its signature musical style, as well as long guitar solos with long soloing times.
Heavy metal artists have historically been associated with drug abuse and violence. Many critics have linked heavy metal music with deviant behavior such as drug abuse and the destruction of society; fans counter this claim that heavy metal serves as a vehicle for venting suppressed emotions and feelings.
Heavy metal music’s roots can be traced to working class areas of Britain, where its musical influences were heavily influenced by industrial sounds such as steam hammers and steel factories. Lyrical themes often featured mythology or fantasy-related elements which would later form key parts of subgenres.
Heavy metal was an iconic cultural force during the 1980s in both America and Europe, leaving an indelible mark on society through musical subgenres inspired by it, fashion trends influenced by it, visual arts influenced by it, fans empowered by it and community fostered around its fans who fought back against social norms through rebellion against their influence; its lasting popularity inspired musicians worldwide and continues to fascinate listeners today.
Subgenres
Heavy metal has given birth to many subgenres of music, including glam metal, thrash metal, black metal, death metal, folk metal, and power metal. Each subgenre boasts its own sound that sets it apart from others – however some of them have strange twists that set them apart too! Many metal fans appear fond of engaging in bizarre stunts when creating music; one such example being Rebel Wizard who describe themselves as playing “heavy negative wizard metal.”
Some of the most acclaimed subgenres of heavy metal emerged during the 1980s. Glam metal became mainstream through bands like Bon Jovi and Motley Crue, while more aggressive styles like thrash metal and death metal emerged underground scenes.
Other subgenres of heavy metal incorporate classical music elements from works by Johann Sebastian Bach and Niccolo Paganini into its sound, such as those heard in Yngwie Malmsteen’s technical prowess as a neo-classical guitarist, pushing back against what had traditionally been considered heavy metal music; other artists such as Jethro Tull have blurred lines between psychedelic rock and heavy metal music genres.
In the 1990s, nu metal, which combined elements of alternative and grunge music with traditional metal, emerged. This hybrid genre created an exciting new sound that attracted younger listeners. Korn was an instrumental band in developing nu metal with their use of slow downtempos and hip hop beats creating its signature bruised and lurching sound, as well as making seven string guitars an integral part of heavy metal musical vocabulary.
There are various unusual subgenres of heavy metal, including Viking metal and pirate metal. Many bands in these genres focus on epic and fantasy themes from ancient mythology. Bands such as Manowar and Battlelore combine anthemic vocals, majestic guitar solos, and dynamic song arrangements into powerful music that transports listeners into realms of legend and adventure. Others – like folk metal musicians – rely on traditional instruments and singing styles to craft their tunes.
Critics
Early critics of heavy metal were very critical, attributing the genre’s success to drug use and violence as well as suicidality and depression. Furthermore, critics accused metal bands of flirting with Satanism. But its popularity increased significantly during the late 60s with bands such as Black Sabbath creating evil with their electric guitar riffs reminiscent of Satanism.
The genre remained immensely popular throughout the 80s, as Def Leppard reignited rock ‘n’ roll with their powerful bass lines and guitar virtuosity. Meanwhile, Judas Priest added sinister overtones while hair bands like Guns N’ Roses and Motley Crue glamorized metal music by donning spandex clothing and antics.
By the 1990s, heavy metal had experienced a decrease in popularity; however, its appeal returned with the emergence of symphonic metal and power metal bands like Nightwish, Delain, and Within Temptation.
Heavy metal music draws inspiration from several sources, from blues rock to early British bands like Vanilla Fudge (who psychedelicized pop songs), The Who, Kinks, and Vanilla Fudge; in turn these bands opened up the way for heavier styles by including more aggressive percussion and repetitive power chords in their tunes – all precursors of what we know today as heavy metal music. Heavy metal has also drawn inspiration from psychedelic rock of the 60s such as Cream’s “I’m So Glad” and Jimi Hendrix’s cover of “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”.
Metal’s sound is heavily influenced by classical music, with composers and musicians like Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple and Rainbow drawing inspiration from this genre. His signature neoclassical approach to playing the guitar stands out in metal; you can hear its influence in its fast tempos and complex melodies; however this classical influence is softened through distortion effects to produce its signature sound that has come to define metal music; amplifiers play an especially essential role when creating epic atmosphere in metal songs.