speed metal
sub-genre of heavy metal music
Speed metal crackles with an electrifying energy that hits you like a bolt of lightning. It's characterized by rapid tempos, intricate guitar riffs, and powerful drumming that creates a relentless forward motion. The vocals often soar with a fierce intensity, delivering lyrics filled with themes of fantasy, rebellion, and personal struggle. Everything about speed metal feels charged and urgent, almost daring you to keep up as it propels you headfirst into its exhilarating soundscape.
Emerging in the late 1970s and early 1980s, speed metal burst forth from the underground metal scene as a reaction against the slower, heavier sounds of traditional heavy metal. Bands like Motörhead pioneered this high-octane sound with their relentless energy on albums like "Overkill." Meanwhile, acts like Judas Priest refined and propelled it further with "British Steel," laying down the blueprint for future speed metal artists. By the mid-'80s, groups such as Helloween and Slayer pushed the genre to new levels of technicality and aggression, inspiring countless musicians to adopt its blistering style.
To dive into speed metal, start with "Ride the Lightning" by Metallica for its head-spinning riffs and compelling narratives. Then give Helloween's "Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I" a listen—it’s a quintessential piece that showcases soaring melodies intertwined with furious instrumentation. Don’t miss Slayer's "Reign in Blood," a landmark album that redefined aggression in metal music. Lastly, explore Iron Maiden's "The Number of the Beast," which injects speed metal's melodic elements into its storytelling prowess. Once you've soaked that in, consider branching out into other forms of thrash or even power metal to see where this thrilling journey might take you.
222 artists in the catalog.
Guides for speed metal artists
Top speed metal albums
See essentials
All speed metal artists
Angel Dust
heavy metal, power metal
Amberian Dawn
neo-classical metal, power metal
Witchery
black metal, death metal
Wolf
Omen
epic metal, traditional heavy metal
Racer X
Razor
thrash metal
Lovebites
power metal
Agent Steel
power metal, thrash metal
Stormwarrior
Sex Machineguns
Whiplash
thrash metal
Paradox
thrash metal
Animetal
Cauldron
Hibria
heavy metal, power metal
About speed metal
What is speed metal?
sub-genre of heavy metal music
Where should I start with speed metal?
Start with "The Wörld Is Ours - Vol. 2: Anyplace Crazy as Anywhere Else" by Motörhead. It captures what makes speed metal worth exploring.
What are the best speed metal albums?
The speed metal albums worth hearing first: "The Wörld Is Ours - Vol. 2: Anyplace Crazy as Anywhere Else" by Motörhead, "Stone Deaf Forever!" by Motörhead, "Orgasmatron" by Motörhead, "Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers" by Motörhead and "Over the Top: The Rarities" by Motörhead.
How many speed metal artists are there?
northsound.fm covers 222 speed metal artists, each with a recommended starting album and listening path.