Spotify has been doing a lot of research lately, and in turn we've been learning a lot about metalhead listening habits. We've learned that metalheads are the most loyal to their genre compared to others and that Spotify is responsible for 10% of all record sales. Today, the streaming service revealed a report which lists the top 25 most listened to sub-genres in all of heavy metal. Here they are with a few bands to describe what the genre classification actually means. If you click the genre, you can access the official Spotify playlist for it.
- Alternative Metal – Basically late 90s, early 00 radio rock like Korn, Disturbed and Papa Roach
- Nu Metal – Korn is listed here again, obviously, other acts include Drowning Pool, Mudvayne, Sevendust
- Hard Rock – This seems to mean classic rock like Van Halen, Whitesnake and Ted Nugent.
- Groove Metal Modern mainstream metal like Machine Head, Trivium and Devildriver
- Rap Metal – Not sure how this differs from nu metal, but featured acts include Linkin Park, POD, Limp Bizkit
- Funk Metal – Faith No More, Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers amongst the listed acts.
- Metal – aka VH1 classic metal, like Iron Maiden, King Diamond and Motorhead
- Metalcore – Warped Tour metal like Atreyu, Bullet for My Valentine and All That Remains.
- Speed Metal – Similar to just Metal, features Megadeth, Accept, Slayer
- Melodic Metalcore – Basically, the new wave of American heavy metal like Killswitch Engage, Darkest Hour, Unearth
- Industrial Metal – Marilyn Manson, Rammstein, Orgy, Powerman 5000, Static X
- Progressive Metal – Queensryche, Dream Theater, Symphony X
- Power Metal – Sabaton, Firewind, Edguy
- Death Metal – Death, Obituary, Deicide, Dying Fetus
- Thrash Metal – Slayer, Testament, Anthrax, Exodus, Kreator
- Glam Metal – Motley Crue, Quiet Riot, Def Leppard, Dokken
- Melodic Death Metal – basically Swedish metal, In Flames, Soilwork, Dark Tranquility, etc.
- Neo Classical Metal – Kamelot, Stratovarius, Dragonforce
- Symphonic Metal – Epica, Within Temptation, Nightwish
- Death Core – Whitechapel, Suicide Silence, Chelsea Grin, Carnifex
- Gothic Metal – Lacuna Coil, Within Temptation
- German Metal – Edguy, Rage, Helloween
- Gothic Symphonic Metal – Epica, Delain, Leaves' Eyes
- Stoner Rock – Orange Goblin, Fu Manchu, High on Fire
- Folk Metal – Eluveitie, Tursias, Finntroll, Moonsorrow
As you can see, there are a few repeat genres here, like nu-metal & rap metal and neo classical metal, symphonic metal, gothic metal and gothic symphonic metal all having a lot of crossover.
But it certainly does paint an interesting picture. Unsurprisingly, the most popular music is the most mainstream friendly, which has radio rock play and then the more obscure genres are the ones that require a bit more of the listener's ear to grasp.
How do you feel about the list?
