speed metal
what it is
Speed metal is an extreme sub-genre of heavy metal music originating in the late 1970's to mid 1980's that was the direct musical progenitor of power metal and thrash metal. Speed metal is characterized by staccato drumming, single-note riffing at fast tempos and complex guitar solos. Unlike thrash metal, speed metal uses melodical hooks.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 2 · the door
big names with a sharper edge
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make speed metal a playlist
turn these 26 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is speed metal?
Speed metal is an extreme sub-genre of heavy metal music originating in the late 1970's to mid 1980's that was the direct musical progenitor of power metal and thrash metal. Speed metal is characterized by staccato drumming, single-note riffing at fast tempos and complex guitar solos. Unlike thrash metal, speed metal uses melodical hooks.
What are good speed metal albums to start with?
Try Black Metal by Venom, Inhuman Rampage by DragonForce, Heavy Metal Maniac by Exciter, and Skeptics Apocalypse by Agent Steel.
Who are some women making speed metal?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/speed-metal/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making speed metal, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-21