How to Start a Metal Band from Scratch – Recruit, Write, Record, Destroy

You’ve got the riffs in your head.
The scream in your chest.
The urge to take over the stage and melt faces.

But where do you begin?

Starting a metal band sounds epic — but it also takes strategy, patience, and some old-fashioned DIY chaos.
In this article, we’ll break down the step-by-step guide to forming your own metal band, from assembling the crew to putting your music out into the world.

Let’s build something brutal.

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🔥 Step 1: Find Your Sound (Before You Find the Members)

Before you even post “looking for bandmates” on Instagram or Discord, ask yourself:

• What genre of metal are you into? (deathcore, blackened thrash, doom, etc.)
• What themes do you want to explore? (war, personal pain, religion, horror, etc.)
• Do you want to scream, growl, or sing clean vocals?

Having a clear vision helps attract the right people — not just talented, but aligned.

🎸 Step 2: Recruit Your Bandmates

Here’s your core crew (minimum):

• Drummer (the backbone of brutality)
• Guitarist(s) (rhythm + lead or just one to start)
• Bassist (don’t skip this… seriously)
• Vocalist (can be you or someone else)

Where to find them:

• Music forums or local scene Facebook groups
• Instagram reels and short covers
• Jam spaces or music schools
• Online collaboration platforms like Kompoz or BandLab

👉 Tip: Look for commitment over perfection. Skills can grow — attitude is harder to fix.

🧠 Step 3: Pick a Band Name That Feels Like Fire

A good metal band name should:

• Reflect your genre or theme
• Be easy to remember and spell
• Look good on a logo or merch
• Be available on Instagram, Bandcamp, etc.

Check for conflicts (legal and SEO) before you commit.

Examples:

• Obscure Aether (black metal)
• Concrete Vultures (deathcore)
• Funeral Signal (doom/post-metal)

✍️ Step 4: Start Writing Songs (Even One Is Enough)

You don’t need 10 songs — start with one solid track.

Workflow idea:

1. Guitarist writes riffs
2. Drummer builds around the rhythm
3. Bass fills the gaps
4. Vocals come last — scream from your gut!

Use tools like:

• Guitar Pro / TuxGuitar for composing
• Reaper / Logic / Cubase for demoing
• Voice memo + metronome for raw drafts

Don’t aim for perfection. Just start creating.

🎙️ Step 5: Record a Demo (DIY or Pro Studio)

Recording shows you’re serious.

Two options:

• DIY – record at home with an audio interface (Focusrite, Audient), a DAW, and some plugins (Amp sims like STL Tones, free drum VSTs, etc.)
• Studio – book time with a local producer who understands heavy genres

Start with:

• 1 or 2 songs
• Focus on tight playing and decent mix
• Add logo, simple cover art, and credits

👉 Upload your demo to Bandcamp, YouTube, and SoundCloud.

📢 Step 6: Promote Like a Maniac

Once the demo is out — don’t stay quiet.

Here’s how to get attention:

• Post song snippets on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts
• Make lyric videos or visualizers
• Ask metal YouTubers or bloggers to review your song
• Join metal Discord servers and share your track
• Play local gigs, even if small — film everything

Build your brand slowly. Stay consistent. Engage with anyone who listens.

🧥 Step 7: Create a Look, Logo, and Identity

Metal is visual.

Make sure you:

• Design a brutal logo (or use BlackMetalFont.com)
• Create a stage look — even if it’s just matching color schemes or corpse paint
• Build an Instagram page, Bandcamp, and maybe TikTok
• Write a short, powerful band bio (who you are, what you sound like, where you’re from)

This helps people remember you — not just hear you.

💀 Step 8: Keep Creating and Stay Brutal

Most bands die out because they:

• Get discouraged early
• Don’t plan next steps
• Stop practicing or writing

Keep going. Release more tracks. Film live sessions.
Collaborate. Evolve. Play gigs.

Because once you start a fire —
the only thing left to do is burn louder.

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🧠 Final Words: It Starts With One Riff

Starting a metal band isn’t easy — but it’s worth it.

All it takes is:

• One idea
• One riff
• One friend who believes
• One scream loud enough to shake the silence

So grab your guitar, gather your crew, and let the world hear you.

The pit awaits.

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