When Did Heavy Metal Music Debut?

The origins of heavy metal music are often debated. Some say it began in the late 1960s, while others trace its roots back to the mid-1970s. Regardless of its exact origins, there’s no denying that heavy metal music is here to stay.

1970s

Although there are different opinions on what actually classifies as heavy metal, most fans and historians can agree that the genre first took shape in the late 1960s and early1970s. This was a time when bands like Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and Led Zeppelin were starting to gain popularity. Let’s take a look at the history of heavy metal and how it has evolved over the years.

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin was an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. The band’s heavy, guitar-driven sound has led them to be cited as one of the progenitors of heavy metal.

Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath is often cited as one of the first heavy metal bands. Formed in 1968, they released their self-titled debut album in 1970. The album featured several tracks that would go on to become metal classics, including “Black Sabbath,” “N.I.B.,” and “Fairies Wear Boots.” Though not an immediate commercial success, the album was well-received by critics and is now widely regarded as a metal masterpiece.

1980s

The 1980s saw the emergence of a new type of music known as heavy metal. This genre of music is characterized by its aggressive sound and lyrics. Heavy metal music quickly gained popularity among young people.

Metallica

Formed in 1981, Metallica is often cited as one of the leaders of the heavy metal genre. The band’s early releases, such as “Kill ‘Em All” and “Ride the Lightning,” are considered essential metal albums, and their 1986 album “Master of Puppets” is considered one of the most influential heavy metal albums ever made. Metallica’s current lineup includes founding members James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, along with lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo.

Megadeth

Heavy metal music first gained popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s with bands such as Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. However, it was not until the 1980s that the genre truly exploded in popularity. This was due in part to the rise of MTV, which gave heavy metal bands a wider audience, and to the increase in quality of recording technologies, which allowed for heavier and more complex sound.

One of the most popular heavy metal bands of the 1980s was Megadeth, formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine. Megadeth became known for their complex song structures and fast-paced guitar playing, as well as Mustaine’s dark and aggressive lyrics. The band released their debut album, Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good!, in 1985 to critical acclaim. They would go on to release a total of 11 studio albums, selling over 38 million records worldwide.

1990s

While some say that heavy metal music debuted in the 1970s with bands like Black Sabbath, others claim that it didn’t become popular until the 1980s with bands like Metallica. The 1990s is when heavy metal music really broke into the mainstream with bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Let’s take a look at the history of heavy metal music.

Nirvana

Nirvana was an American rock band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. It was founded by singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic. Nirvana went through a succession of drummers, the longest-lasting and best-known being Dave Grohl, who joined the band in 1990. Though the band dissolved in 1994 after the suicide of Cobain, their music maintains a popular following and continues to influence modern rock and roll culture.

Soundgarden

Soundgarden was an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Matt Cameron became the band’s full-time drummer in 1986, while bassist Ben Shepherd replaced Yamamoto in 1990. The band built its reputation playing in clubs around Seattle and achieved a breakout hit with the song “Black Hole Sun” from its 1994 album Superunknown. Soundgarden was one of the seminal bands in the creation of grunge music and is credited as one of the main architects of the sound.

2000s

Linkin Park

Linkin Park is one of the most popular and commercially successful bands of the early 21st century. The band’s music incorporates elements of alternative rock, rap rock, and nu metal. Linkin Park rose to fame in 2000 with their debut album Hybrid Theory. The album was a critical and commercial success, selling more than 10 million copies in the United States alone and becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time. The band’s second album, Meteora, was released in 2003 and also sold very well, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 charts. Linkin Park has released seven studio albums in total, all of which have been extremely successful both critically and commercially.

Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1999. The band’s current lineup consists of lead vocalist M. Shadows, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Zacky Vengeance, lead guitarist and backing vocalist Synyster Gates, bassist Johnny Christ, and drummer Brooks Wackerman.

Avenged Sevenfold rose to fame with their debut album Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, which was released in 2001. The album featured the band’s first single “To End the Rapture”, which reached number 83 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The album peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart and was eventually certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). A reissue of Sounding the Seventh Trumpet was released in 2002, retaining three additional tracks from their independently released EP before it was completed. The band’s second album Waking the Fallen was released later that year and debuted at number two on Billboard 200 chart; its success would eventually see it achieve platinum status. A DVD containing a concert and music videos entitled Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough was released in September 2008; it reached top ten selling status on many video charts around the world including Billboard Top Music Videos chart as well as reaching number two on Billboard Top Music DVDs chart.

On October 30, 2009, Avenged Sevenfold released their fourth studio album Nightmare which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 becoming their second effort to do so following City of Evil in 2005. It also marked as the band’s highest first week sales to date with 163,000 units sold compared to City of Evil’s 128,000 units back in 2005—making it Avenged Sevenfold’s fastest-selling album ever since its release and largest sales week for a hard rock/metal release of 2009—and was also their first albums to have three consecutive top 10 singles (“Nightmare”, “Welcome to the Family” and “Buried Alive”) peaking at numbers 6, 8 and 10 respectively on Mainstream Rock Songs airplay chart thus making Avenged Sevenfold one of only four acts this decade (joining Metallica (in 2003), Godsmack (in 2006) and Nickelback (in 2007)) along with Stone Sour (twice) between 2006 & 2011 who achieved this feat.[1][2] The stage setup used during much of 2009–2010 consisted mainly of large upright pipes painted black with red details designed by Destry Saulsbury that resemble toy soldier Christmas nutcrackers known as Matryoshki dolls or matriochkas.[3][4][5] Avenged Sevenfold supported Nightmare by playing among others Download Festival 2010.[6][7]

On July 27, 2010, Bassist Johnny Christ announced that he would be sitting out upcoming shows due to a back injury leaving bass duties to Tim Peter – who had already been touring with them as part of I Set My Friends On Fire – until Christ’s return.[8] Around February 2011 there were reports that claimed Christ had returned to performing live with Avenged Sevenfold but these reports proved false when Christ once again stated he’d left touring duties for an unknown period of time for further medical attention towards his back.[9] In late August 2011 Peter posted on his Twitter account that he will no longer be touring with Avenged Sevenfold so Justin Meacham from Bad Religion took over temporarily until fieldy from Korn joined officially as their new bass player after completing touring commitments with Korn for their comeback album The Path of Totality.