Heavy Metal

Emerging from the blues rock and psychedelic rock of the late 1960s, heavy metal was codified by early works from artists like *Black Sabbath* and *Deep Purple*. The form is constructed around heavily amplified and distorted electric guitars, often played through Marshall stacks, which deliver powerful, riff-based compositions. These are supported by a dense, low-end rhythm section and vocals that range from operatic wails to aggressive shouts. Its ethos, often exploring themes of darkness, fantasy, and rebellion, carved a significant cultural niche and established a globally influential and commercially durable musical movement.