Genre Histories

Fans in patched and studded denim battle vests at the barrier during Bloodstock Open Air festival, 2026

The Battle Jacket

Declan Rourke · May 1, 2026

Masacre performing live on stage

South American Death Metal

Rafael Quintero · Apr 27, 2026

Poison, Los Angeles, 1986. Photo: Marsha Traeger, Los Angeles Times

80s Hair Metal Fashion

Declan Rourke with Saint Sylveszter · Apr 27, 2026

Municipal Waste in a band portrait

The New Wave of Thrash Metal: Municipal Waste, Evile, Warbringer, Havok

Declan Rourke · Apr 27, 2026

A skater in a drained pool, with friends and a stereo

Skateboarding and Thrash: How the Deck Became the Uniform

Jonah Pike · Apr 23, 2026

Onslaught in a band portrait

British Thrash: Onslaught, Sabbat, Xentrix, Acid Reign

Declan Rourke · Apr 23, 2026

Loudness guitarist Akira Takasaki performs with bassist Masayoshi Yamashita on stage at Rock in the Jungle 2.0, Sarawak Cultural Village, Malaysia, August 2025

Japanese Heavy Metal

Declan Rourke · Apr 23, 2026

Gorgoroth in corpse paint and spikes, a band portrait

The Most Infamous Black Metal Live Shows

Eirik Solvang · Apr 19, 2026

Iron Maiden's giant animatronic Samurai Eddie on stage during the Senjutsu-era tour in Portugal, sword raised in front of a pagoda backdrop

Eddie, Iron Maiden's Mascot

Declan Rourke · Apr 18, 2026

Venom in studs and chains in their early years

Venom's "Welcome to Hell": The Album That Gave Thrash Permission

Declan Rourke · Apr 17, 2026

The sleeve of Bathory, the band's 1984 debut

Bathory: How One Swede Drew the Blueprint

Eirik Solvang · Apr 13, 2026

Kreator on stage in London in 2024

Where Thrash Metal Was Censored, and Why

Declan Rourke · Apr 13, 2026

Varathron, the singer in a red robe at the centre

Greek Black Metal and the Hellenic Sound

Andrzej Sawicki · Apr 12, 2026

Angus Young of AC/DC headbanging on stage at Wembley Stadium, London, 18 August 1979

Headbanging

Declan Rourke with Julien Vasseur · Apr 12, 2026

Pantera group portrait, all four members together, London, 1992

The Parental Advisory Sticker

Declan Rourke · Apr 11, 2026

Cro-Mags in a band portrait

Cro-Mags, "Age of Quarrel": NYHC Meets Metal

Jonah Pike · Apr 10, 2026

Paul Speckmann of Master performing live at Inferno das Febras festival in Portugal, September 2026.

Chicago Heavy Metal

Declan Rourke · Apr 10, 2026

Morgoth performing live on stage

German Death Metal Bands

Andrzej Sawicki · Apr 8, 2026