Explainers

James Hetfield mid downstroke at the O2 in London in October 2017, his picking hand at the bridge

Palm Muting

Declan Rourke with Julien Vasseur · Jul 17, 2026

Extreme Noise Terror performing live on stage

Grindcore vs Death Metal

Gareth Llewellyn · Jul 15, 2026

Queen live, 1977. Photo: QueenConcerts.com

Is Queen Heavy Metal?

Declan Rourke · Jul 15, 2026

Austin Lunn of Panopticon performing live

RABM: Red and Anarchist Black Metal

Andrzej Sawicki · Jul 14, 2026

Abbath of Immortal in corpse paint

Black Metal Fashion: Spikes, Leather and Bullet Belts

Eirik Solvang · Jul 12, 2026

Alissa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy singing into the microphone at the Eventim Apollo in London in October 2024

The Types of Metal Vocals

Declan Rourke with Julien Vasseur · Jul 9, 2026

Enslaved at the foot of an overgrown stone stairway

Pagan and Viking Black Metal

Eirik Solvang · Jul 6, 2026

Gojira on stage in stage lighting, the four-piece line-up mid-song.

Is Gojira Death Metal?

Rafael Quintero · Jul 6, 2026

Aborted performing live on stage

Goregrind and Pornogrind: The Edges of the Genre

Gareth Llewellyn · Jul 4, 2026

The sleeve of Battles in the North, Immortal, 1995

Why Black Metal Bands Pose in Forests

Eirik Solvang · Jul 4, 2026

AC/DC at Hockenheim, 2015. Photo: acdc.com

Is AC/DC Heavy Metal?

Declan Rourke · Jul 3, 2026

The Gluey Porch Treatments album sleeve by the Melvins

Who Invented Sludge Metal?

Gareth Llewellyn · Jul 3, 2026

Testament posing together in the late 1980s

What Is the Bay Area Thrash Sound?

Declan Rourke · Jul 1, 2026

Alice in Chains at Wembley Arena, London, 2019. Photo: Scott Dachroeden

Was Alice in Chains Ever Hair Metal?

Declan Rourke with Saint Sylveszter · Jun 28, 2026

Clutch playing a large club stage under yellow beams in front of the band name, the crowd in the foreground

Stoner Rock or Stoner Metal?

Ilse Brandt · Jun 28, 2026

Anthrax playing live with Joey Belladonna

Thrash Production: The Best and Worst Sounding Albums

Declan Rourke · Jun 28, 2026

Sebastian Bach mid-scream on stage at the Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto, 24 October 2024

How Metal Singers Scream

Declan Rourke with Julien Vasseur · Jun 27, 2026

A packed crowd fills the field as Judas Priest plays the main stage at Wacken Open Air 2026.

Heavy Metal Fan Stereotypes

Declan Rourke · Jun 26, 2026