5 Awesome Facts You Didn't Know About Heavy Metal

Heavy metal is a style of music that has been around for over 50 years, captivating millions of fans around the world. It's a genre that has been heavily influenced by some of the biggest names in rock, including Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple. But beyond the music itself, there are many awesome facts about heavy metal that you may not know. In this blog post, we'll explore 5 of the most interesting metal facts that will surprise you.

The Birth of Heavy Metal:

While many people credit Black Sabbath with creating heavy metal, it was actually Deep Purple who came up with the term. The band's drummer, Ian Paice, described their music as "Heavy Metal Thunder" in an interview, and the term stuck. Black Sabbath later adopted the term for their debut album, which is widely considered the first heavy metal album.

Society Genesis Award:

The band Metallica received a Society Genesis Award in 1996 for their song "Until It Sleeps," which raised awareness about the destruction of the rainforest. This award is usually reserved for individuals and organizations that make significant contributions to animal welfare, but this time, Metallica's song was recognized for its environmental message.

The Rise of American Heavy Metal:

While heavy metal originated in the UK, the genre really took off in America in the 1980s with the rise of bands like Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth. This American heavy metal movement, often referred to as Thrash Metal, helped to solidify the genre's place in music history.

ARIA Awards

The ARIA Awards are Australia’s equivalent of the Grammy Awards, and many Australian heavy metal bands have been recognized for their achievements in the genre. Bands like Parkway Drive, Karnivool, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have all won ARIA Awards for their heavy metal music.

The Evolution of Metal Subgenres:

While heavy metal is a genre in its own right, it has also given rise to many subgenres over the years, including Death Metal, Black Metal, Metalcore, Power Metal, and Hair Metal. Each of these subgenres has its own unique sound and style, and there are countless metal bands out there for fans to discover.

In conclusion, heavy metal is a genre of music that has had a lasting impact on music history and continues to captivate fans around the world. From its origins with Black Sabbath and Deep Purple to the rise of American heavy metal and the evolution of metal subgenres, there are many awesome facts about this style of music. Whether you're a diehard metal fan or just someone who enjoys listening to metal from time to time, these metal facts will give you a new appreciation for this iconic genre.