Explainers

Led Zeppelin performing live at Earls Court, London, 1975, Robert Plant at the mic with John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page behind him

Is Led Zeppelin Heavy Metal?

Declan Rourke · Jan 28, 2026

Def Leppard live at the Palladium, New York, 1 August 1980, during the On Through the Night tour

Is Def Leppard NWOBHM?

Declan Rourke · Jan 26, 2026

Deicide performing live on stage

What Happened to the Original Tampa Bands?

Rafael Quintero · Jan 25, 2026

Two members of Iron Maiden laughing backstage in 1982, one wearing a black and white striped waistcoat and holding a bottle

Is Iron Maiden NWOBHM?

Declan Rourke · Jan 23, 2026

At the Gates band portrait

Stockholm vs Gothenburg: Two Scenes, Two Sounds

Rafael Quintero · Jan 20, 2026

Rob Halford of Judas Priest singing into a hand-held microphone on stage, studded leather jacket and raised gauntlet, guitarist beside him

Is Judas Priest NWOBHM?

Declan Rourke · Jan 20, 2026

The sleeves of Restless and Wild, Kill 'Em All, Show No Mercy and Ride the Lightning

What Was the First Thrash Metal Album?

Declan Rourke · Jan 18, 2026

Gorgoroth performing live on stage

What Does True Norwegian Black Metal Actually Mean?

Eirik Solvang · Jan 17, 2026

Judas Priest members in leather cutting a cake at a 1979 record store event welcoming the band, tour posters on the wall behind them

Where the Name "Heavy Metal" Comes From

Declan Rourke · Jan 17, 2026

Dave Mustaine performing live in 1988

The Best Thrash Metal Band: The Argument

Declan Rourke · Jan 16, 2026

The sleeve of The Return......, Bathory, 1985

What Was the First Black Metal Album?

Eirik Solvang · Jan 14, 2026

Led Zeppelin receive gold and platinum records at the Savoy Hotel, London, December 1969

Where Did Heavy Metal Originate?

Declan Rourke · Jan 14, 2026

The sleeves of Metallica, Countdown to Extinction, Chaos A.D. and Burn My Eyes

What Killed Thrash Metal?

Declan Rourke · Jan 13, 2026

Tony Iommi and Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath facing the crowd at the Waldbuhne, Berlin, on the band's farewell tour

When Did Heavy Metal Start?

Declan Rourke · Jan 13, 2026

Judas Priest silhouetted before the crowd at the Monsters of Rock festival, Donington Park, 16 August 1980

The Types of Heavy Metal Music, Mapped

Declan Rourke · Jan 12, 2026

D.R.I. posing together backstage

What Is Crossover Thrash?

Declan Rourke · Jan 11, 2026

Blue Oyster Cult performing on stage at Day on the Green, Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, California, facing a packed stadium crowd

What the Heavy Metal Genre Actually Covers

Declan Rourke · Jan 11, 2026

A member of Black Sabbath backstage during the Mob Rules tour, 1981, in a fur-lined jacket beside a car

Is Black Sabbath Heavy Metal?

Declan Rourke · Jan 10, 2026