Definition of heavy metal

The term "heavy metal" originally referred to the chemical elements that possess high atomic weights, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. These elements were known to be toxic and dangerous to human health, hence the adjective "heavy" was used to describe their density and potential toxicity. In the late 1960s, the term began to be used in a musical context to describe a new style of hard rock music characterized by loud, distorted guitar riffs, fast-paced, powerful drumming, and themes often centered around themes including fantasy, horror, and sci-fi. Bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple are considered the pioneers of heavy metal, and their music and stage performances were often seen as transgressive and rebellious. This association between heavy metal music and the toxic and dangerous properties of heavy metals added an edginess and notoriety to the genre. Heavy metal music has since evolved, but the term continues to be used to describe this genre of music, which is often characterized by its intense loudness and energetic style.