Create a drum beat. Drums are the backbone of heavy metal. Depending on the subgenre you are playing, the drums can be machinelike with excessive double bass, such as in death and thrash metal, or more simplistic but aggressive, similar to what you would hear in a Judas Priest or Black Sabbath song.
Play the rhythm parts on the guitar by developing a good riff, which is a string of notes that create the feel of the song. Many heavy metal musicians tune their instruments down to achieve a heavier sound, full of distortion. Heavy metal guitar playing is based on fast and aggressive riffing or slow but evil-sounding guitar. The riff is the identifying guitar piece or hook of any song. In heavy metal, riff masters such as Kerry King of Slayer and James Hetfield of Metallica create a mood that is unlike any other style of rock music.
Build a bass line that mimics the guitar and supports the drum parts. The bass is an anchoring instrument. Develop a bass line that bridges the drums to the guitar and creates a distinctive signature to the song. Because the bass is considered a percussive, rhythm instrument, it works well as a supportive device. Many modern heavy metal bass players use distortion as well as five-string basses to get a heavier sound.
Write the lyrics and sing them over the created music. Various styles of heavy metal singing can be used, including screaming, operatic singing and low-pitched grunting. The two key elements of the vocals are aggression and distinctiveness. Bands such as Anthrax use traditional singing, whereas bands such as Cannibal Corpse use almost unintelligible vocals as an instrument unto themselves.