Metal splinters into new genres faster than a Les Paul breaks a string under a rock god. If you've ever wondered what actually separates thrash from death metal, or doom from black metal, this guide to the main types of metal is for you. Each one gets a short explanation, two tracks to start with, and the mood it goes with. Earplugs in? Let's go.
Heavy Metal: The Grandfather of All Metal
Where it all began. Heavy metal was born back in the ’70s with bands like Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden. Heavy metal is like the cool grandpa who tells stories that are both terrifying and awesome.
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- The vibe: Leather jackets, motorcycles, and headbands
Thrash Metal: Faster, Louder, Angrier
If heavy metal is grandpa, thrash metal is the teenage punk nephew who’s just discovered caffeine and is taking it way too far. Metallica took thrash to stadiums, and their 1991 show in Moscow is one of the greatest live performances in rock history.
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- The vibe: Skate parks, fingerless gloves, and yelling in your car alone
Death Metal: Where Screaming Becomes an Art Form
Death metal took thrash’s aggression, threw in guttural growls, and went all-in on lyrics about mortality, chaos, and … well, death.
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- The vibe: Dark basements, horror movies, and wondering if you should be concerned for your own well-being
Black Metal: For Those Who Want a Nordic Adventure
Known for its haunting, atmospheric sounds and corpse-paint aesthetics, black metal was largely birthed in Norway and features bands like Mayhem and Darkthrone.
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- The vibe: Corpse paint, frozen forests, and feelings that even the sun might be afraid of you
Doom Metal: Slower, Heavier, and Melancholic
Doom metal can be cathartic, especially when you need a soundtrack for contemplating your fate.
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- The vibe: Foggy graveyards, lava lamps, and deep existential dread
Power Metal: Epic Adventures, Dragons, and High Notes
Power metal is all about soaring vocals, symphonic elements, and a lot of epic energy.
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- The vibe: Battle armor, fantasy novels, and singing along as loud as possible
Nu Metal: For Those Who Miss the Early 2000s
Born in the late ’90s with bands like Korn and Limp Bizkit, nu metal blends elements of metal, hip-hop, and sometimes deep angst.
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- The vibe: High school angst, baggy jeans, and dark alleys in daylight
Progressive Metal: A Brainy Approach to Headbanging
Progressive metal is heavy but experimental, often with changing time signatures and long instrumental sections.
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- The vibe: Graph paper, existential philosophy, and maybe a Rubik’s cube
Which type of metal should you start with?
Of all the types of metal, heavy metal and thrash are the easiest way in, so start there then follow whatever grabs you. Guitar players should also check out the shredders in our list of the best guitarists of all time. Once you've found your genre, go deeper: our metalcore listening guide breaks down one of heavy music's biggest modern branches.
FAQ
What are the Big Four of metal?
The Big Four are the thrash bands Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax, who defined the genre in the 1980s.
What genre is Slipknot?
Slipknot usually gets filed under nu metal, though their heaviest songs owe a lot to thrash and death metal too.
What's the difference between metal and metalcore?
Metalcore mixes metal riffs with hardcore punk energy and breakdowns. Our metalcore guide explains the genre and its subgenres.