Welcome to the Metal Army. Thank you for becoming a supporter of The Metal. This is the first early access / behind the scenes post. First off as I’m sure some of you realize, I time family trees with new releases from prominent bands. Most recently Artillery was posted. On off weeks when no big bands are releasing anything I go back to important bands that I haven’t got to yet. The newest of which was Slayer. I have also recently been working on Exodus and Morbid Angel. Please do not share these. Other trees will not link back to them yet but links to influences will work for bands already added.

As part of the current Metology project which is being done behind the scenes I am currently tearing through 1980. Starting from 1970 I’ve been I’ve been studying the characteristics of heavy metal in order to present a well researched and articulated “text book” on heavy metal and the evolution of its musical stylings. I have currently defined the primary styles of the time and articulated in the clearest of terms what defines metal. I’ve defined the differences between hard rock and heavy metal as well as the sub-genres of that period, notably Early Heavy Metal, Traditional Heavy Metal, Speed Metal and Doom Metal, as well as Early forms of Speed, Progressive, and even the earliest hints of Epic and Symphonic.

To go along with this study of metal evolution I’m currently working on a title system that describes a bands positions in lineage. Some titles I’m currently using are more self explanatory than others. For example Black Sabbath would be the Fathers of metal. Most people would know what that means but more specifically the title of Father would have a very specific definition. In this case it would be given to a band that is both the originator of a style as well as being the first to release a full metal album. Other titles I’m currently defining would be Pioneer which would refer to any band to adopt a style early on with out being inspired by others of that style. Apostles would be bands that are only inspired by the originators, noting them as the first bands to follow the lead of originators of a genre. This will all eventually be posted in probably a Metology dictionary of sorts. The whole purpose is to make an actually legitimate study of heavy metal music the same as any other academic study. Obviously it isn’t something for everyone. One does not need to study geology to recognize a pretty rock when they see it, but someone can tell you what kind of rock it is and how it was created or compares to a similar rock.

For now welcome to the metal army and check out the early access to Exodus and Morbid angel Family Trees.