Heavy metal

Definition

Heavy metal is a genre of music that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s, characterized by its aggressive sound, loud volume, and the use of distorted guitars, emphatic rhythms, and powerful vocals. This genre evolved from earlier rock styles, incorporating elements of blues rock and psychedelic rock while often featuring dark or fantastical themes in lyrics and imagery.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Heavy metal bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin were instrumental in defining the genre's sound and style in the early 1970s.
2. The genre's distinctive features include power chords, fast guitar solos, and an emphasis on rhythm and bass that create a wall of sound.
3. The 'New Wave of British Heavy Metal' (NWOBHM) movement in the late 1970s introduced bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, further expanding the genre's popularity.
4. In the 1980s and 1990s, heavy metal diversified into numerous subgenres, each with its own unique sound and characteristics.
5. Heavy metal has maintained a significant cultural impact over the decades, influencing fashion, art, and even film, as well as creating a dedicated global fanbase.

Review Questions

• How did heavy metal evolve from earlier music genres and what are some key characteristics that define its sound?
  • Heavy metal evolved from rock styles like blues rock and psychedelic rock during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Key characteristics include loud volume, distorted guitars, emphatic rhythms, and powerful vocals. The genre often embraces dark or fantastical themes in its lyrics, setting it apart from other forms of rock music.
• Discuss the significance of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) in shaping the future of heavy metal music.
  • The New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) played a crucial role in revitalizing heavy metal in the late 1970s. It introduced iconic bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest that brought a faster tempo and complex guitar work to the forefront. This movement not only expanded the genre's popularity but also laid the groundwork for numerous subgenres that followed in the 1980s and beyond.
• Evaluate how heavy metal has influenced cultural expressions beyond music, including fashion and visual art.
  • Heavy metal has significantly influenced various cultural expressions beyond music, particularly in fashion and visual art. The genre is known for its distinctive aesthetic featuring leather jackets, band t-shirts, and elaborate hairstyles which have become iconic. Additionally, album artwork often includes dark fantasy themes or graphic imagery that resonate with the music's intense themes. This cross-cultural influence highlights heavy metal's enduring impact on popular culture as a whole.

Related terms

thrash metal: A subgenre of heavy metal that combines fast tempos, complex guitar riffs, and aggressive drumming, often with socially conscious or political lyrics.

doom metal: A slower, heavier subgenre of heavy metal that focuses on dark themes and a sense of despair, often featuring deep, growling vocals.

glam metal: A fusion of heavy metal and glam rock characterized by flashy fashion and theatrical performances, often emphasizing catchy hooks and melodies.