When people hear the word “metal,” most imagine something loud, angry, and full of noise.
But did you know that behind the screaming and distortion, metal music holds a rich, layered history with countless subgenres that have evolved over decades?
Some of these genres are so underground that even many metal fans haven’t fully explored them.
So today, let’s take a journey through the lesser-known history of metal genres — from its roots to its most bizarre and brutal branches.
The term “metal” didn’t exist right away.
But the early seeds were planted by bands like:
This era is now referred to as proto-metal or classic heavy metal, setting the tone for everything that followed.
In the 1980s, metal split into many directions:
This era built the metal culture we know — patches, denim jackets, and headbanging glory.
In the late ’80s to early ’90s, metal took a darker, more extreme turn:
These genres were raw, controversial, and heavily underground, but formed a passionate global following.
Indonesia, for example, has its own legendary underground death and black metal scenes — growing independently of the West.
Now here’s the part most people don’t know:
Metal isn’t just loud and angry — it’s also weird, artistic, and deeply experimental.
Some lesser-known subgenres include:
These genres show that metal is more than rage — it’s also art, emotion, and exploration.
Metal isn’t just a Western phenomenon.
Countries like:
The genre has become a global language of resistance, passion, and identity.
From bluesy roots to avant-garde noise walls — metal has evolved into a complex family of genres, each with its own philosophy, style, and emotion.
So next time someone says “metal all sounds the same,”
just smile — and ask them:
“Have you ever heard of atmospheric blackened folk drone doom?”
They probably haven’t.
But now you have.
