New York City has historically been a melting pot for various musical genres and boasts a unique legacy. It’s the birthplace of radical punk outfits like The Ramones, as well as hip-hop artists like 50 Cent.
Then there are acclaimed jazz artists like Miles Davis, who studied for a while at the prestigious Juilliard institution in New York City, before setting the world alight with fellow musician Charlie Parker.
Unsurprisingly, New York has also seen a sprawling metal scene evolve over the years…
The changing sounds of metal
Just as seasons change, so do genres. Heavy metal in New York has had many ‘phases’ with sub-genres rising and falling in popularity. For example, waves of death metal, metalcore, thrash metal, hardcore, and ‘hybrid’ nu metal have all swept New York at some point over the last few decades.
Some standout acts certainly made their mark and some even achieved a rare sense of longevity, even when their genre was no longer in vogue. Bands like Blue Öyster Cult, Anthrax, and Carnivore didn’t just ascend into greatness overnight.
These metal icons slaved away with the writing process, arduous rehearsals and energetic live shows that saw their reputations cemented through word-of-mouth. Once they broke through, however, they made an impact far beyond attracting a few new faces to shows and selling a few more albums.
They inspired many budding metal musicians to pick up their axes and shred or pound the skins with newfound energy and bands across the city. Competition for professional rehearsal space became fierce and bands played wherever they could, whether this was a basement or a semi-soundproofed room in an apartment.
Nowadays, aspiring metal artists have several fully-kitted sites to choose from including the likes of Pirate Studios. It’s more convenient and less pricey to invest in a practice space, so it’s no surprise that artists flock to make use of a ‘proper’ studio as they develop their loud riffs and growls. After all, emulating the magic of heroes like Tombs (founded in 2007) and Anicon (founded in 2010) is only possible with a lot of persistence and undisturbed, quality practice.
Where the metalheads meet
As the New York metal scene is known for its diversity, many venues offer plenty of nights showcasing a wide range of metal subgenres. More and more places that are specifically known for their dedication to metal music are opening up all across the city but it’s Brooklyn, in particular, that has become a hotspot for the underground metal scene.
Saint Vitus
Saint Vitus Bar is located in the Greenpoint neighborhood and has established itself as one of the go-to venues for those who like niche and underground music. There are nights dedicated to heavy and doom metal and as its capacity is relatively small, there’s a more intimate vibe. It’s popular for both established and emerging artists and is a great place to catch some local talent.
Lucky 13 Saloon
Another stalwart of the niche music scene, this time situated on Sackett Street. This is a straight-up metal bar with an eclectic mix of live shows and themed events. Quirky décor and dedicated regulars make Lucky 13 worth a visit, whether you’re there to see a band or just soak up the atmosphere.
Artists like CONTRACT, Trace Amount, and GLDN continue the long and proud legacy of keeping metal alive in New York. So long as there are lively gig venues, passionate fans, and inspired artists, metal will have a chokehold on the Big Apple.
