Metal Genres
Heavy Metal
Black Sabbath — Band
Heavy metal is the most commonly thought of subgenre when people think of metal. Known for its classic distorted guitars and massive volume, it was made popular by bands such as Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden. The subgenre is a step up from classic rock music, keeping the same clean vocals but delivering a heavier and more aggressive sound.
Thrash Metal
Slayer — Band
Thrash metal is known for its insane speed compared to most other genres in and outside of metal. It typically features a double pedal bass drum with songs often reaching a BPM in the 200s. Thrash metal is both fast and aggressive and features both distorted vocals and instruments. This genre was spearheaded by bands such as Slayer and Anthrax.
Metalcore
As I Lay Dying — Band
Metalcore is a diverse subgenre that covers many different bands. The common theme among them all is screaming vocals, and slow bass heavy sections called "breakdowns". However, It is common for metalcore songs to have clean melodic choruses that show true range in a band.
Nu Metal
Fred Durst - Limp Bizkit
Nu metal is a more modern genre that combines the heavy instrumentals with aspects of hip-hop such as rap like vocals and 'agnsty' lyrics. This subgenre exploded in the early 2000s thanks to bands such as Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park.
Post Hardcore
Pierce The Veil - Band
Similar to metalcore, post hardcore is another diverse genre that encapsulates a multitude of bands. This genre can be considered rock or metal based on each band with the main commonalities between them all being blending melodic singing with screaming and intricate guitar work. The best examples of post hardcore bands would be Pierce The Veil and Dance Gavin Dance.