Heavy+Metal

Heavy Metal

Heavy Metal (often referred to simply as metal) is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in England and the United States. With roots in blues-rock and psychedelic rock, the bands that created heavy metal developed a thick, massive sound, characterized by highly amplified distortion, extended guitar solos, emphatic beats, and overall loudness. Heavy metal lyrics and performance styles are generally associated with masculinity and machismo.

Early heavy metal bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple attracted large audiences, though they were often critically reviled, a status common throughout the history of the genre. Before the end of the decade, heavy metal had attracted a worldwide following of fans known and proudly associated as "metalheads" or "headbangers."

In the 1980s, glam metal became a major commercial force with groups like Mötley Crüe. Underground scenes produced an array of more extreme, aggressive styles: thrash metal broke into the mainstream with bands such as Metallica, while other styles like death metal and black metal remain subcultural phenomena. Since the mid-1990s, popular styles such as nu metal (incorporates elements of funk and hip hop); and metalcore (blends extreme metal with hardcore punk), have further expanded the definition of the genre.

Popular Heavy Metal Songs:
 * Highway Star - Deep Purple
 * Fade To Black - Metallica
 * Iron Man - Black Sabbath

Literary Movement Music of the 20th Century (Home)