A number of heavy metal genres have developed since the emergence of heavy metal during the late 1960s and early 1970s. At times, heavy metal genres may overlap or are difficult to distinguish, but they can be identified by a number of traits. They may differ in terms of instrumentation, tempo, song structure, vocal style, lyrics, guitar playing style, drumming style, and so on.
Pagan metal is a genre of heavy metal music which fuses extreme metal with "the pre-Christian traditions of a specific culture or region" through thematic concept, rustic melodies, unusual instruments or archaic languages, usually referring to folk metal or black metal. The Norwegian band In the Woods... was one of the first bands commonly viewed as pagan metal. Metal Hammer author Marc Halupczok wrote that Primordial's song "To Enter Pagan" from the band's demo "Dark Romanticism" contributed to defining the genre.
Moonsorrow is a Finnish pagan metal band formed in Helsinki in 1995. Musically, the band incorporates elements of black metal and folk metal in their sound. The band call their sound "epic heathen metal" and try to distance themselves from the term "Viking metal". They have distanced themselves from other folk metal bands, emphasising that their music is pagan and spiritual and is challenging for its listeners, rather than happy or danceable. The band members have varying levels of pagan belief but they draw on pagan spirituality for lyrics and inspiration.
Catamenia was a Finnish black metal band founded in 1995 by Riku Hopeakoski and Mika Tönning in Oulu. They have been signed to Massacre Records since their first full-length release Halls of Frozen North in 1998. As of 2010, they have released nine albums, one EP, and one DVD. They are known for frequent usage of wolves in their album art, but the band is named after a kind of bird. Catamenia also means "menstruation", which the band did not know until a fan pointed it out to them after the release of their debut album.
Ensiferum is a Finnish folk metal band from Helsinki. The members of the band label themselves as "melodic folk metal".
Týr is a Faroese folk metal band. They have been characterised as one of "the islands' two most successful metal bands". Their subject matter revolves almost entirely around Viking lore, mythology, and history, taking their name from Týr, the god of war in Norse religion.
The Agonist was a Canadian metalcore band from Montreal, Quebec, formed in 2004. The last known lineup consisted of lead guitarist Danny Marino, bassist Chris Kells, drummer Simon Mckay, rhythm guitarist Pascal "Paco" Jobin and lead vocalist Vicky Psarakis, who joined in March 2014 following the departure of vocalist and founding member Alissa White-Gluz.
Alestorm are a Scottish heavy metal band formed in Perth, Scotland. Their music is characterised by a pirate theme, and as a result, they have been dubbed a "pirate metal" band by many critics and their fanbase. The group currently consists of lead vocalist/keytarist Christopher Bowes, bassist Gareth Murdock, drummer Peter Alcorn, keyboardist/harsh vocalist Elliot Vernon and guitarist Máté "Bobo" Bodor.
Fleshgod Apocalypse is an Italian symphonic death metal band. Formed in 2007, the group resides in Perugia and are currently signed to Nuclear Blast. They have released five full-length albums.
Blackguard is a Canadian melodic death metal band from Montréal, Québec, previously known as Profugus Mortis.
Pirate metal is a style of heavy metal music characterized by its incorporation of pirate mythology within the music and sometimes in stage performances. Lyrics often use piratical jargon and various musical genres, such as thrash metal, speed metal, and folk metal, may be combined with traditional-sounding songs like sea shanties. Folk instruments, such as the concertina, can be incorporated or emulated with synthesizers. Band members often dress up in period costume during performances, and concert attendees may do so as well. Pirate metal is sometimes referred to by the media as a music scene.
Voyager are an Australian progressive metal band from Perth, Western Australia, who were formed in 1999. The band has released eight albums. Their eighth studio album, Fearless in Love, was released worldwide on 14 July 2023 through French American metal record label Season of Mist. They represented Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song "Promise", finishing in ninth place.
Darker Half is an Australian heavy metal band from Sydney, led by vocalist Vo Simpson and known for their energetic live performances, their style has been described as power/thrash.
Gloryhammer is a British-Cyprian power metal band founded by keyboardist Christopher Bowes, lead vocalist of the band Alestorm. Each member of the band represents a character in the story concept. Band members appears on stage in armour and costumes to represent their respective characters.
Allegaeon is an American technical melodic death metal band from Fort Collins, Colorado, formed in 2008. They have released one EP and six studio albums and are currently signed to Metal Blade Records.
Eye of the Enemy are a death metal band from Melbourne, Australia. The band formed in 2006 and has since released an EP and three full-length albums, the latest of which, Titan was released on 11 October 2019. They have undertaken national and international tours in support of their albums and have also supported international acts including Cradle of Filth, Amon Amarth, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Malevolent Creation, Despised Icon, Sybreed, At The Gates, Fear Factory, Children of Bodom, Hypocrisy and Kataklysm.
Curse of the Crystal Coconut is the sixth studio album by Scottish heavy metal band Alestorm. It was released on 29 May 2020 via Napalm Records. The album was recorded at Krabi Road, Thailand with the band's long-time producer Lasse Lammert. It was preceded by four singles: "Treasure Chest Party Quest", "Tortuga", "Fannybaws" and "Pirate Metal Drinking Crew".
Æther Realm is an American heavy metal band from Greenville, North Carolina. Their music is a blend of melodic death metal and folk metal, with lyrical themes of fantasy and mythology. The band's influences include Wintersun and Children of Bodom. They have been active since 2010, and have released three studio albums.
Origin is the ninth full-length studio album of Finnish melodic death metal band Omnium Gatherum. It was released on 5 November 2021 via Century Media Records. The band toured for the album in February and March 2022 in North America, supported by Allegaeon and Black Crown Initiate, and from September to November 2022 in Europe, as special guests in the Veleno Across Europe Tour by Fleshgod Apocalypse.
Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum is the seventh studio album by Scottish heavy metal band Alestorm. It was released on 24 June 2022 via Napalm Records. The album title is a reference to Iron Maiden's 1988 album Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. The album was produced by the band's long-time producer Lasse Lammert. It was preceded by four singles: "Magellan's Expedition", "P.A.R.T.Y.", "The Battle of Cape Fear River", and "Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum".
