Heavy Metal Music in Albany, NY

Check out the latest heavy metal bands playing in Albany, NY. Get concert reviews and recommendations for the best metal shows in the area.

Introduction

Albany, NY is home to a vibrant and active metal music scene. The city has a long history of metal music, dating back to the early days of the genre. Today, Albany is home to a variety of metal bands, ranging from black metal to death metal to hardcore punk.

There are several venues in Albany that host metal shows on a regular basis, including The Fuze Box, Bogies, and Valentines. Albany also has a number of record labels that focus on releasing metal music, such as Transcendental Creations and Blackened Earth Records.

If you’re looking to get into the metal scene in Albany, there are plenty of options available to you. Check out some of the local bands, venues, and labels to get started.

History of Heavy Metal in Albany

Early years (1960s-1970s)

The origins of Albany metal can be traced back to the city’s early garage and hard rock scenes of the 1960s and 1970s. Bands such as Chrome Moses, Bloodline, and Fullbrook were all active in the local clubs during this time period. One of the first metal bands to emerge from Albany was Alien Agreement, who formed in 1977 and released their debut album, Heavy Thoughts, in 1979. This album would go on to be a major influence on the developing Albany metal scene.

In the 1980s, Albany metal began to gain traction with a wider audience. Bands such as Exciter, Metal Church, and Warfare became popular in the metal underground. This decade also saw the formation of a number of influential Albany metal bands, including D-Rok, Exhorder, and Overkill.

The 1990s were a pivotal decade for Albany metal. During this time period, a number of local bands achieved national and international success. Bands such as Anthrax, Biohazard, Life of Agony, Meshuggah, Type O Negative, and Vision of Disorder all gained widespread recognition during this time period. The 1990s also saw the rise of a number of smaller localmetal scenes across upstate New York that would eventually come to be known as the “Albany sound.”

The 2000s have seen a continued growth in Albany metal’s popularity both nationally and internationally. Bands such as Poison the Well, Shadows Fall, Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, God Forbid, Lamb of God, Cannibal Corpse, Job for a Cowboy have all achieved significant success during this time period. The 2010s have seen even more success for Albany metal bands with many achieving mainstream success including Insane Clown Posse & Attila.

The New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) and the Albany scene (1980s)

In the early 1980s, a new wave of British heavy metal bandswere coming to prominence, including Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Def Leppard. These bands, and others like them, brought heavy metal music to a new level of popularity in the UK. Albany was no exception to this trend, with a number of local bands springing up to play this new style of music.

One such band was Tyrant, who formed in 1982 and were active in the local scene throughout the decade. They released a number of demo tapes and even had a song included on a compilation album released by American label Combat Records. Another local band, Skullduggery, released an EP in 1984 before splitting up.

The Albany scene continued to grow in the late 1980s and early 1990s with the formation of bands like Intense Defense and Soilborn. These bands built on the foundation laid by Tyrant and Skullduggery, developing their own sounds and styles while still staying true to the core elements of heavy metal music.

Today, Albany is home to a thriving heavy metal scene, with a number of local bands still active and playing shows regularly. So if you’re ever in town and looking for something to do on a Friday night, be sure to check out one of Albany’s many heavy metal shows!

The rise of American metal and Albany’s metal scene (1990s-present)

In the early 1990s, metalcore was on the rise with bands like Earth Crisis and Integrity gaining popularity. This was also the time when Albany’s metal scene started to take shape. The city’s first metal club, QE2, opened in 1994 and quickly became a hotspot for local metal bands. Albany would go on to produce many successful metal bands, including Every Time I Die, Shadows Fall, and Killswitch Engage.

In the 2000s, American metalcore began to gain mainstream popularity with bands like Killswitch Engage and As I Lay Dying. This decade also saw the rise of Albany’s own deathcore scene, with bands like Whitechapel and Fallujah becoming popular nationally and internationally.

Today, Albany remains a hotbed for heavy metal music. The city’s metal scene is constantly evolving, with new bands and clubs popping up all the time. Whether you’re a fan of death metal, black metal, doom metal, or any other subgenre, you’re sure to find something to love in Albany’s metal scene.

Notable Albany metal bands

Albany’s metal scene has been thriving since the early 1990s, with a number of notable bands emerging from the city. Albany is home to a number of metal festivals, including the annual Upstate MetalFest, which draws in metalheads from all over the Northeast. If you’re a fan of heavy metal music, Albany is definitely the place to be.

Overlorde

Formed in Albany in 1985, Overlorde is a traditional heavy metal band that has built a following both in the US and internationally. The band released their debut album, Return of the Snow Giant, in 1992 and have since toured extensively throughout the US and Europe. They have released four albums to date, with their most recent, 2016’s Reborn Evil, garnering critical acclaim from fans and critics alike. Overlorde is considered one of the most notable Albany metal bands and are credited with helping to put the city on the map as a destination for heavy metal music.

Beyond Fallen

Beyond Fallen is a five-piece melodic/progressive metal band from Albany, NY. They have released two albums, “When Angels Descend” and “Duality of Man”. They are currently working on their third album, which is slated for release in 2019.

Drowning Pool

Drowning Pool is an American heavy metal band formed in Dallas, Texas in 1996. The band was founded by guitarist CJ Pierce and drummer Mike Luce. The band has released five studio albums, one live album, one compilation album, and one DVD. The band’s most recent album, Hellelujah, was released on February 5th, 2016.

The band has sold over 4 million albums worldwide and is best known for their singles “Bodies” and “Sinner”. Drowning Pool rose to fame in 2001 with the release of their debut album Sinner which included the popular single “Bodies”. The single helped the album go platinum and peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 chart. In 2002, Drowning Pool released a live album titled Live in Dallas which included a cover of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire”.

In 2004, Drowning Pool released their second studio album Desensitized which included the singles “Step Up” and “Tear Away”. The album debuted at number twenty-seven on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified gold by the RIAA. In 2005, Drowning Pool released a DVD entitled Name Your Poison which included a live performance of their show at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas as well as behind-the-scenes footage.

In 2007, Drowing Pool released their third studio album Full Circle which included the singles “Soldiers” and “Enemy”. The album peaked at number nineteen on the Billboard 200 chart. In 2008, Drowning Pool participated in Ozzfest. In 2010, Drowning Pool released their fourth studio album Resilience which included the singles “Feel Like I Do” and “One More Time”. The album debuted at number thirty-two on the Billboard 200 chart.

In 2013, Drowning Pool announced that they had left Eleven Seven Music and had signed with eOne Music. In 2014, Drowning Pool released their fifth studioalbum Siren’s Song which included the singles “Saturday Night” and “.50 Caliber Heart”.

Albany metal venues

There are many great metal venues in Albany, NY. Some of the most popular ones include The Palace Theater, The Hollow Bar + Kitchen, and Red Square. Each venue has its own unique atmosphere, so it’s important to choose the one that’s right for you.

Bogie’s

Bogie’s is a popular metal venue in Albany, NY. They have a variety of metal bands that play there regularly.

Valentines

One of the most popular metal venues in Albany, NY, Valentines is known for its dark and intimate atmosphere. The stage is small but well-lit, and the sound system is top-notch. The venue also has a full bar and kitchen, making it a great place to spend an evening.

Upstate Concert Hall

Upstate Concert Hall is a state-of-the-art, multi-level concert venue in Clifton Park, NY, featuring national and international live musicacts. The hall can accommodate up to 1,600 people and features a mezzanine level with a full bar and lounge area.

Conclusion

When it comes to heavy metal music, Albany, NY has a lot to offer. From big-name arenas to intimate clubs, there’s a venue for every taste. And with a vibrant local scene, there’s always something new to discover.

So if you’re looking for a place to headbang the night away, Albany should be at the top of your list.