Explainers

Imperial Triumphant performing live on stage

Dissonant Death Metal

Rafael Quintero · May 16, 2026

Cradle of Filth performing live on stage

Symphonic Black Metal

Eirik Solvang · May 16, 2026

A Fender Bassman combo with two microphones on stands set in front of it in a studio live room

Double-Tracked Guitars

Declan Rourke with Curtis Vance · May 16, 2026

Enforcer on stage at Stonedead Festival in August 2025, between two banners reading heavy and metal

Heavy Metal vs Metal

Declan Rourke · May 15, 2026

Grave Digger singer Chris Boltendahl with his fist raised and the microphone at his mouth, the guitarist beside him under red stage light

What Power Metal Sings About: Dragons, Battles, Faith and the Stars

Julien Vasseur · May 14, 2026

Darkthrone, Fenriz and Nocturno Culto, 2024. Photo: Peer Olav Kittilsen

The Metal Subgenres Tier List

Declan Rourke · May 13, 2026

Van Halen on stage in 2015, David Lee Roth at the microphone with Eddie Van Halen to his left and Wolfgang Van Halen on bass

Is Van Halen Hair Metal?

Declan Rourke with Saint Sylveszter · May 10, 2026

Satyricon performing live on stage

Corpse Paint, Logos, Forests and the Rest of the Iconography

Eirik Solvang · May 9, 2026

Deafheaven playing live in 2023

The Deafheaven Argument

Eirik Solvang · May 8, 2026

Killswitch Engage on stage

Metalcore vs Crossover Thrash

Jonah Pike · May 8, 2026

Rhapsody of Fire guitarist Roby De Micheli playing live, lunging forward with a green guitar, the band's backdrop banner behind him and the drummer and keyboard player in the background

How Power Metal Is Recorded: The Studios, the Producers and the Sound

Julien Vasseur with Curtis Vance · May 7, 2026

The debut album sleeves of Pentagram, Trouble and Candlemass laid side by side

Who Invented Doom Metal?

Ilse Brandt · May 7, 2026

Steve Harris of Iron Maiden playing bass live at Nova Rock Festival, Nickelsdorf, Austria, 14 June 2014

How to Write Metal Lyrics

Declan Rourke · May 5, 2026

Summoning's Dol Guldur beside Lifelover's Sjukdom

DSBM vs Atmospheric: Where the Line Falls

Eirik Solvang · May 4, 2026

The sleeves of Reign in Blood, Chaos A.D., Burn My Eyes and South of Heaven

Is Pantera Thrash Metal?

Declan Rourke · May 4, 2026

Van Halen live at the Rainbow Theatre, London, 22 October 1978: Eddie Van Halen playing his striped Frankenstrat, with David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony and Alex Van Halen

Heavy Metal Guitar Tunings

Declan Rourke with Julien Vasseur · May 4, 2026

Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats on stage bathed in red light, long-haired guitarists and the drummer

The Culture: Sleeves, Logos, Tunings and the Slowest Aesthetic in Metal

Ilse Brandt · May 3, 2026

Scott Travis behind the Judas Priest drum kit at Hellfest in June 2022, both bass drums carrying the band logo

Why 80s Metal Drums Sound That Way

Declan Rourke with Curtis Vance · May 3, 2026