Metal

The term "heavy metal" -- attributed to beat writer William S. Burroughs and echoed in Steppenwolf's motorcycle reference to "heavy metal thunder" in the song "Born to Be Wild" -- initially described the intense and loud guitar sound created by bands such as the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Blue Cheer. As Hard Rock became more abrasive and divorced itself from the psychedelic overtones of Acid Rock, bands incorporated feedback, distorted and overdriven guitars, and more aggressive rhythms into their sound. The first major movement of Metal (counting the U.K.'s Iron Maiden and Def Leppard in its ranks) was dubbed the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Later, countless subgenres would evolve, from the Thrash of Metallica and Pantera to the Black Metal of Emperor and Cradle of Filth.