Heavy Psych

Originating in the late 1960s, Heavy Psych merges the improvisational ethos of blues rock and the experimental textures of psychedelic rock with amplified, guitar-centric force. The style is defined by its thick, distorted, and often fuzzed-out guitar riffs, which form the dense core of the sound, supported by a heavy, driving rhythm section. Song structures are frequently extended, prioritizing instrumental explorations and powerful grooves over conventional pop formats. While it had a brief commercial window before splintering into hard rock and early heavy metal, its sonic template became a foundational influence on subgenres like stoner and doom metal.