When did metal start? This question has intrigued music enthusiasts and historians alike for decades. The birth of metal music is often a subject of debate, as it encompasses a wide range of subgenres and styles that have evolved over time. However, by examining the origins and key developments in the genre, we can trace the roots of metal music back to its inception.
The early 1960s marked the beginning of the metal music era, with the rise of rock music as a whole. While rock music was gaining popularity, a few bands started to experiment with heavier sounds and darker themes. One of the earliest examples of metal music is often credited to the band Black Sabbath, formed in Birmingham, England, in 1968. The band’s eponymous debut album, released in 1970, featured a slower tempo, heavier guitar riffs, and lyrics that delved into dark and sinister themes, setting the stage for the genre’s future evolution.
Black Sabbath’s success paved the way for other bands to explore the boundaries of rock music, leading to the emergence of several subgenres within the metal family. In the early 1970s, the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) movement gained momentum, with bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Saxon pushing the limits of heavy metal. This period saw the development of more complex guitar techniques, faster tempos, and more intricate song structures.
On the other side of the Atlantic, in the United States, metal music took on a different shape. Bands like Kiss, Alice Cooper, and Blue Öyster Cult combined the energy of rock with theatrical elements, creating a genre known as “hard rock.” This subgenre was characterized by its emphasis on showmanship, elaborate costumes, and makeup, as well as powerful guitar riffs and high-energy performances.
As the 1980s rolled in, metal music saw another significant evolution with the rise of thrash metal, which was characterized by its fast-paced, aggressive sound and complex guitar solos. Bands like Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth helped to define the genre, and their music became a significant influence on future generations of metal musicians.
Today, metal music continues to thrive, with countless subgenres and styles emerging from its roots. From the doom metal of the 1970s to the nu-metal of the 1990s, metal has always been a genre that evolves and adapts to new influences. The answer to the question “when did metal start” is not a single moment but rather a series of events and developments that have shaped the genre into what it is today. Whether you’re a fan of the original heavy metal sounds of Black Sabbath or the modern thrash metal of contemporary bands, metal’s rich history and ongoing evolution make it a fascinating and enduring part of the musical landscape.
