Heavy Metal Music in Beckley

Check out the latest metal bands playing in Beckley. Get showtimes, ticket info and directions to the venues.

History of Heavy Metal in Beckley

Heavy metal music has a rich history in Beckley, West Virginia. The first metal band from Beckley was Iron Cross, who formed in 1981. They were followed by bands like Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth, who all gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. Today, there are still many metal bands in Beckley, such as Avenged Sevenfold and Lamb of God.

Origins in the 1970s

The origins of heavy metal in Beckley can be traced back to the 1970s, when a number of local bands began playing a style of music that was heavier and louder than what was typically heard on the radio. These bands would often play at outdoor venues such as parks and fairgrounds, and they quickly built up a following among the city’s teenage population.

By the early 1980s, heavy metal had become one of the most popular genres of music in Beckley, with a number of local clubs hosting regular live shows. A number of nationally-known bands would also make stops in Beckley on their tours, further solidifying the city’s reputation as a hotbed for metal music.

Today, there are still a number of heavy metal bands in Beckley that are keeping the genre alive. And every year, the city hosts the “Rock N’ Roll Carnival” – an annual event that celebrates all things rock ‘n’ roll, including heavy metal.

The New Wave of British Heavy Metal

The New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) was a music phenomenon that occurred in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The term refers to a period when a new generation of British bands emerged who blended elements of hard rock, punk rock, and metal to create a new, heavier sound. These bands would go on to have a major influence on the development of heavy metal music in the 1980s and beyond.

The NWOBHM began with the release of two singles in 1979: “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath and “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple. These singles signaled a return to the heavier sounds of earlier metal bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Other important early NWOBHM releases include Diamond Head’s “Lightning to the Nations” (1980), Iron Maiden’s “Running Free” (1980), and Saxon’s “Wheels of Steel” (1980).

The NWOBHM quickly gained momentum, with dozens of new bands springing up all over Britain. However, due to a lack of radio airplay and media attention, many of these bands failed to achieve commercial success. Nevertheless, the NWOBHM left a lasting legacy, spawning several subgenres of metal including thrash metal and death metal. Additionally, many of the most successful metal bands of the 1980s including Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, and Metallica got their start in the NWOBHM.

The American Thrash Metal Scene

In the early 1980s, Beckley was at the center of the American thrash metal scene. Bands like Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer all got their start in the city, and it was also home to a number of pioneering metal labels and magazines. The scene was fostered by a number of local clubs and venues, including the world-famous Club Lingerie.

Sadly, the thrash metal scene in Beckley began to decline in the late 1980s and early 1990s, as many of the bands that had started there broke up or relocated to other parts of the country. However, the city still holds a place in heavy metal history, and there are a number of dedicated fans who keep its memory alive.

The Local Scene in Beckley

If you’re a fan of heavy metal music, you’ll be happy to know that Beckley has a thriving local scene. There are several metal bands that call Beckley home, and they often play shows at the local clubs and venues. If you’re looking for a place to headbang and mosh the night away, you’ll definitely find it here in Beckley.

The First Wave of Local Bands

In the early days of the local scene, it was mostly just a handful of bands playing shows at the VFW hall and the American Legion. There were a few hardcore and metal bands, but most were just your typical rock bands. There was little to no sense of community or camaraderie among the bands. It wasn’t until later that things started to change.

As the scene began to grow, so did the number of venues. More and more bars and clubs began to host shows, and eventually there were enough places that bands could play every night of the week if they wanted to. This led to an explosion of new bands, as well as a newfound sense of community among musicians.

The scene continued to grow throughout the late 90s and early 2000s, with more and more people getting involved. The early days may have been rough, but they laid the foundation for what would become a thriving music scene in Beckley.

The Second Wave of Local Bands

In the early 2000s, a second wave of local bands began to gain traction in the Beckley music scene. These bands were heavier and more experimental than their predecessors, and many were influenced by the post-hardcore and metalcore sounds coming out of the northeastern United States. Notable bands from this era include Life on Earth, Dead Hearts, Coming Down, and Withdrawal.

The Third Wave of Local Bands

The third wave of local bands in Beckley is a mix of old and new, with some groups having been around for years and others just getting started. This wave is defined by its heavier sound, with many bands drawing influence from metal and hardcore music. While the scene is still small, it has begun to garner attention from outside the city limits, with several groups receiving national and international recognition. Here are some of the most notable bands from this wave of the local music scene.

The Future of Heavy Metal in Beckley

It has been said that the future of heavy metal is in Beckley. With the recent rise in popularity of the genre, more and more people are beginning to take notice of the music scene in the small town of Beckley, West Virginia. The town is home to a number of small venues that feature heavy metal bands on a regular basis. In addition, there are a number of festivals that are held in the area each year that attract heavy metal fans from all over the country.

The Decline of Local Scenes

In the past decade, heavy metal has seen a decline in popularity on a global scale. This is due to a variety of factors, such as the rise of streaming services, the fall of the CD, and changing musical tastes. However, this decline has been especially pronounced in smaller local scenes, such as the one in Beckley.

There are several reasons for this. First, local venues that hosted metal shows have closed down. Second, there are fewer bands active in the scene. And finally, there are fewer people attending shows and buying merch.

This decline has had a significant impact on the scene in Beckley. Fewer shows means less opportunities to see bands, both local and touring. This can lead to discouragement among potential new fans, as well as existing fans who may no longer have easy access to live music. Additionally, less activity can make it harder for new bands to get started and gain traction.

Despite these challenges, there are still some dedicated fans and musicians keeping the scene alive in Beckley. There are a few regular shows happening, albeit on a smaller scale than in years past. And there are still people passionate about discovering and supporting new heavy metal music. So while the future of the scene may be uncertain, it is not entirely bleak.

The Rise of Internet Communities

In the last decade, we have seen a rise in the number of internet communities devoted to heavy metal music. These communities provide a space for fans of the genre to connect with one another, share their love of the music, and discuss their favorite bands and albums.

While these communities are relatively new, they have already had a significant impact on the heavy metal scene in Beckley. In particular, they have helped to connect local fans with one another and promote shows and events happening in the area.

It is clear that internet communities will continue to play a major role in the future of heavy metal in Beckley. They provide a valuable service to fans of the genre, and they are only going to become more popular in the years to come.

The Resurgence of Local Scenes

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in heavy metal music, particularly in small towns and rural areas. This is due in part to the internet and social media, which have made it easier for people to connect with others who share their interests.

One of the most notable examples of this trend is in the town of Beckley, West Virginia. In 2016, two local teenagers started a band called Goatlord. The band quickly gained a following, and within a few years had released two albums and toured the United States.

The success of Goatlord has inspired other heavy metal bands to form in Beckley, and the town has become known as a hotbed for this style of music. This is having a positive impact on the local economy, as people are coming from all over to see these bands perform.

There is no doubt that the future of heavy metal is bright, and places like Beckley are at the forefront of this movement. With more and more people getting involved in this genre of music, it is only going to continue to grow in popularity.