8 Bands Considered the Forefathers of Heavy Metal
via Tom Kane / YouTube
When we talk about the roots of heavy metal, we think about the bands that first made the ground shake with their loud and powerful sounds. These groups set the stage for a musical genre that has grown and changed but always kept its strong spirit.
Motörhead
View this post on Instagram
Motörhead, formed in 1975, was all about speed and having a wild spirit. Lemmy, their leader, had a voice like gravel and played his bass louder than anyone. They might have been called rock and roll or punk, but their fast and heavy sound and rebellious attitude were part of what made metal music stand up and get noticed.
Iron Butterfly
View this post on Instagram
You might not know their name, but you’ve probably heard their huge song, “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.” Iron Butterfly was an American band that brought a heavy and dramatic touch to the rock scene back in 1968. Their long jams and rumbling bass lines were early signs of what heavy metal could sound like.
The Kinks
View this post on Instagram
The Kinks were four guys from England who started making noise in 1964. They weren’t just any band; they had an edge and made some really sharp tunes. They were part of the rock scene, but their song “You Really Got Me” had a riff, that’s a part of the song on guitar, so strong and raw that it’s considered one of the foundations of heavy metal.
Uriah Heep
View this post on Instagram
Uriah Heep started playing together in 1969 in London. They had a mix of sounds with keyboards that soared and vocals that could reach the stars. They even made a 16-minute long song, which was not something a lot of bands did back then. This group made songs that had the weight of metal music but also took you on a bit of an adventure with different styles.
Led Zeppelin
View this post on Instagram
Led Zeppelin took rock and put some serious weight on it. Forming in 1968, they were all about powerful sounds and creating big musical moments. Songs like “Dazed and Confused” showed that they were not afraid to go slow and heavy, which was totally new. Some might say they even helped name the genre when a critic called their music “heavy metal.”
Judas Priest
View this post on Instagram
If Black Sabbath was the thunder, then Judas Priest was the lightning. Coming from the same place as Sabbath in the early 1970s, this band played faster and turned their guitars up even louder. They’re known for having two guitar players both lead the charge, which made their sound even bigger. With their leather and metal look, they made sure metal was not just music but a whole style.
Deep Purple
View this post on Instagram
Imagine mixing the sounds of a rock concert with the power of classical music. That’s what Deep Purple did. Starting in 1968, these musicians brought a new level of energy to their songs. They made their guitars scream and their drums thunder. Their song “Fireball” even had double bass drumming, which was really new at the time. People recognized how loud they were, and their quest for speed and complexity in music made sure everyone knew heavy metal was here to stay.
Black Sabbath
View this post on Instagram
Have you ever heard thunder in a song? Black Sabbath, from England, was like a storm coming through music with their heavy sound. Formed in 1968, these guys mixed dark themes with loud guitars and created something new that rocked the world. They were not just another band; they made music that sounded like nothing before, and that’s why many people say they started heavy metal.
