Record labels catering to heavy metal fans provide a wide variety of job opportunities. Unpaid internships, which are usually filled by college students or aspiring musicians, have benefits like free music and a chance to network within the profession. These can be a stepping stone to attaining full-time employment within the music industry. There are artist and repertoire, radio and promotions coordinators and press and public relations jobs available at heavy metal record labels.
Heavy metal is known for its dynamic live presence. Roadies, who take care of the band's equipment, are the unseen champions of a successful heavy metal tour. They make sure guitars are tuned, amps are working properly and drum kits (which can be huge undertakings) are set up before a show. Roadies are responsible for the overall sound of a heavy metal band and can be the difference between a mediocre performance and a great concert.
Concerts entail large-scale, detail-oriented coordination. A heavy metal tour employs large crews to help with production. Tour managers are a vital part of the live aspect of heavy metal. They are responsible for many things while a band is on the road, including travel plans, budgets, merchandise and promotion. The tour manager basically runs the tour for the band and takes care of details. This allows the band to focus on what they do best: performing.
Lighting and sound are also important to heavy metal shows. Engineers and lighting specialists can find continuous work on tour with a band. The sound engineer ensures the quality of each show by working with the venue's acoustics and making sure each show sounds good. Lighting crews add another dimension to a heavy metal concert by utilizing the lighting rigs and working with pyrotechnics.