It is a widely accepted fact that metal rock was born with groups such as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple in the late 1960s and early 1970s. These three groups were the pioneers of the louder, harder, faster, and darker music that was being produced at a time when flower power was the rage. Steppenwolf first coined the phrase "heavy metal" in their 1968 song Born To Be Wild. Some view this as the second British Invasion or a continuation of the first, since these were all British bands that started metal.
Characteristically, metal rock has an aggressive approach to sound and lyrics. It is a guitar and percussion based genre with great emphasis on riveting guitar riffs, pounding bass lines, speed, and volume. Lyrics run the gamut in themes, including (but not limited to) sexual, Satanic, violent, death, mythological, apocalyptic, gothic/horror, philosophical, personal tragedy, angst, politics, supernatural elements and power ballads. Most metal bands' albums carry Parental Advisory stickers.
Metal rock has changed over the decades. From its birth in the post-psychedelic era to modern Nu Metal, metal rock has stood the test of time. Some bands have shown amazing staying power through breakups, make-ups, and lineup changes. The reunion tour and summer festivals are a staple of metal rock as the big boys of metal show how they can still rock your world.
A dark, heavy and influential sound came out of England in the late 1960s. The early groups' sound and lyrics were ominous in nature with some sexual overtones as well as having a heavy influx of mythological / fantasy elements.
Examples of this type of sound include Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple.
In the 1970s, glam metal broke onto the scene with hard hitting songs that treated life as a party. Groups such as KISS, Alice Cooper and T Rex embraced showmanship while creating alter-egos and concept albums to enhance the live concert experience.
In the 1980s hair metal grew out of glam with catchy tunes, sexy lyrics (crotch rock) and hot chicks who fawned over the teased and made-up boys from bands like Mötley Crüe, Ratt and Poison that rocked the circuit.
On the flip side of the 1980s is Thrash/Speed metal, characterized by more urban, aggressive, socio-political, angry lyrics. It is metal meets punk. Motörhead is classified as the first thrash/speed metal band.
In the 1990s Grunge also derives from punk, but instead of rocking faster, bands like Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and Nirvana rocked harder. Personal angst and a disregard for society are cornerstone themes.
Nu Metal in the 2000s is metal that introduces elements of hip-hop, funk, the use of DJs, and 7-string guitars. Bands like Slipknot, Korn and Linkin Park are a part of this musical history.
Metal rock, in any of its genres, has the ability to speak to a large number of people who individually feel alienated but together have found acceptance and champion the underdog or the regular Joe. Metal has many anthems that carry strong messages to and among the fans. Physical expressions of appreciation include head banging, stage diving, moshing, corna (devil's horn hand symbol), crowd-surfing, air guitar and fist-pumping.