HEAVY MUSIC GENRES You Probably Haven’t Heard Of – Until Now

By Ryan G

Ahoy! Let’s embark on a journey of discovery. Let’s get some riffs where we’ve never gotten riffs before. Below are some super niche heavy music genres. Time to get weird, and educated! Let us know what you think of these acts. Pictured about is THE DREAD CREW OF ODDWOOD (photo credit Ethan Sigmon).

DWARF METAL

Wind Rose is a band that has song about digging holes. What’s the title? Why, “Diggy Diggy Hole” of course! The group is embarking on a tour with Hammerfall and Powerwolf this fall. They also have an album titled Trollslayer coming out this October 4th, 2024! This is the sort of thing that sounds like it would be unbearably cheesy, and then you listen and you realize you love it. Who knew an anthem about digging holes could be such a feel good anthem?

MAJESTIC BLACK METAL

Ancestral Blood takes this idea and makes black metal accessible for norms like me. Can’t stand the screams and the darkness in the genre? Well, you’ll still find plenty of it here. But, they make every vocal line count. And whilst listening you may have a sudden urge to cosplay. Dare I say there are even some psychedelic elements in their sound? If Deafheaven played the world’s longest game of DND maybe this sound would result.

FANTASY POWER METAL

Siege Perilous is a power metal band who recently released a track inspired by LARPing. Does it get any better than that? That tickle your fancy? Well, saddle up with your dragon and leave those flimsy mortal weapons behind. We need extra power where we’re going.

EGYPTIAN INFUSED METAL

This is heavy in the melody and stringed instruments but is different than orchestral metal. Listening to this makes you feel like the main character on a quest in a far off land. Massive Scar Era are owning this lane and have this to say about it:

“I want fans to feel the intensity and energy of metal while being embraced by the melodic beauty and cultural nuances of traditional Egyptian Arabic music. It’s an opportunity for them to embark on a musical journey that transcends boundaries and creates a unique fusion of genres. With heartfelt appreciation, I thank everyone who has made this dream come true, and I invite you all to join us on this remarkable musical journey.”

DRUNKEN FOLK METAL

We can’t share a song with you yet, so we’ll share this bio provided generously to us by a publicist. The band is called DRUNKELWIEZEN:

Emerging from the lush, music-rich landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, Drunkelweizen has carved out a distinct niche in the metal scene. Drawing inspiration from the German Purity Law, or Reinheitsgebot, which traditionally limits beer ingredients to water, barley, and hops, Drunkelweizen takes a rebellious approach. Their music is a fermented brew of heavy metal, aged in oak barrels, with robust notes of classical influences. The result is what they proudly call “Drunken Folk Metal.”

PIRATE FOLK METAL

Earlier this year I discovered THE DREAD CREW OF ODDWOOD. Ever wonder what would happen if you mixed sea shanties, folk punk, and metal? Wonder no more! They have a song called “Giant F-ing Demon Crab” that is so over the top you can’t not remember it.

GOSPELCORE

Earlier this summer, I had the chance to watch a band from Louisville called Diaspora A.D. Have you ever wondered what would happen if the band Zeal and Ardor pursued a more straightforward Gospel message? Diaspora A.D. has set a precedent for writing in this style that dates back to 2008. Expect it to start seeing the light of day very soon. The forthcoming album is titled Negro Spirituals in the Heavy Metal Multiverse. This sound might be the most wholesome on our list.