History of Heavy Metal Rock Music Genre, Pioneers to Its Development

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The Agonist (Photo Source: Wikipedia.org)

FEMUSINDO.com - Heavy metal or simply metal is a rock music genre that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Regarding the origin of the term "heavy metal" in the context of music is uncertain. However, this expression has been used for centuries in chemistry and metallurgy.

Initially, this music genre was mostly in the UK and the United States, with roots in blues rock, psychedelic rock and acid rock.

Heavy metal bands developed a thick and monumental sound characterized by distortion, extended guitar solos, firm beats and loudness.

In 1968, three of the genre's most famous pioneers, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple, were founded.

Several American bands modified heavy metal into a more accessible form during the 1970s.

During the mid-1970s, Judas Priest helped spur the evolution of the genre by shedding many of its blues influences, while Motörhead introduced punk rock sensibilities and an increased emphasis on speed.

Beginning in the late 1970s, bands in the new wave of British heavy metal, such as Iron Maiden and Saxon followed in a similar vein. By the end of the decade, heavy metal fans were known as "metalheads" or "headbangers".

During the 1980s, glam metal became popular with bands such as Bon Jovi and Mötley Crüe. Other bands produced a range of more aggressive styles: thrash metal entered the mainstream with bands such as Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax.

Meanwhile, other extreme subgenres, such as death metal and black metal remained subcultural phenomena.

Since the mid-1990s, popular styles have expanded the definition of the genre. These include groove metal and nu metal, the latter often incorporating elements of grunge and hip hop. (*)