The field guide
The family tree of heavy metal
32 bands · 11 families · 1969–2004
Place bands by
The first wave
- Black Sabbath 1970
- Deep Purple 1972
- Judas Priest 1976
- Motörhead 1979
- Ozzy Osbourne 1980
New wave of British heavy metal
- Diamond Head 1980
- Saxon 1980
- Iron Maiden 1982
US heavy metal
- Dio 1983
- Pantera 1990
- Machine Head 1994
- Avenged Sevenfold 2003
Alternative metal
- Faith No More 1989
- Korn 1994
- Mastodon 2004
Doom / Cult metal
- Candlemass 1986
- Type O Negative 1993
Industrial Metal
- Godflesh 1989
- Fear Factory 1995
Progressive metal
- King Crimson 1969
- Queensrÿche 1988
- Opeth 2001
Death metal
- Death 1983
- Cannibal Corpse 1992
- Entombed 1993
Order: Heavy metal · Family: The first wave
Black Sabbath
- Defining record
- Black Sabbath · 1970
- First sighting
- 1968
- Range
- Birmingham, England
In the beginning there was nothing. Then Black Sabbath came along.
Line of descent
Field marks of The first wave
Family notes by [Lead writer]
- Tempo
- Mid-paced to fast
- Guitars
- Blues-rooted riffs, the first twin leads
- Vocals
- From a wail to a roar
- Listen for
- The riff as the main event; Hammond organ; leather arriving
- Habitat
- Birmingham, Hertford, London
- Similar species
- Hard rock, blues rock
Also in this family
The families
Know the families
Each family has its own colour and typeface on the tree. Open one to see every band in it and its full field marks.
- 1968–1980 The first wave TempoMid-paced to fast GuitarsBlues-rooted riffs, the first twin leads Family notes in draft
- 1975–1976 New wave of British heavy metal TempoFast, galloping GuitarsTwin harmony leads Family notes in draft
- 1981–1999 US heavy metal TempoMid to fast GuitarsBig, bright and anthemic Family notes in draft
- 1983–2000 Alternative metal TempMid, Slow VocalsShout, Melodic, Rapping Family notes in draft
- 1984–1989 Doom / Cult metal TempoSlow to mid, grand GuitarsLong, winding riffs Family notes in draft
- 1988–1989 Industrial Metal TempoFast, double kick drums GuitarsMelodic, Driving, Rhythmic Family notes in draft
- 1968–1990 Progressive metal TempoConstantly shifting GuitarsTechnical, odd time signatures Family notes in draft
- 1984–1991 Black metal TempoMid to fast, grand GuitarsRaw, aggressive, atmospheric Family notes in draft
- 1977 Punk TempoFast GuitarsPalm-muted chugs, Open chords Family notes in draft
- 1981–1984 Thrash: the next generation TempoVery fast GuitarsDown-picked and aggressive Family notes in draft
- 1983–1988 Death metal TempoMid to fast GuitarsDistorted, low-tuned Family notes in draft
Is your band in the guide?
New branches are added all the time. If you play this music, or think we have the family tree wrong, tell us. Every band in the guide gets a field card and a link.