The International Society for Metal Music Studies

Our mission is to:

encourage and facilitate academic research related to heavy metal music and culture

adopt interdisciplinary approaches inclusive of sub-genres and related genres

establish metal music studies as a relevant and respected academic discipline

contribute to the growth of knowledge within academic and music communities

Latest posts

• 2023 ISMMS Elections Open: Vote Now17 November 2023
  Voting in the 2023 ISMMS elections is now open in the Members’ Area of the ISMMS website. All current members of the society are welcome (and encouraged!) to vote. You will need to be a current member to vote, so please consider joining the society to have your say. There are three board positions open: 2 Ordinary Member … Read more
• Elections for ISMMS Executive Board Positions, Nov-Dec 202330 October 2023
  The positions of Secretary and two Ordinary Members on the ISMMS Executive Board will become available at the end of the current terms of Dr Owen Coggins, Dr Reinhard Kopanski and Douglas Mattsson, none of whom intend to stand for re-election. We therefore call on the ISMMS membership to elect candidates to serve four year … Read more
• Call for Chapters – Breaking the Silence: Minority languages in contemporary music as reclamation, resistance and revitalisation26 October 2023
  Lead Editor: Gareth Schott (University of Waikato, NZ)  We invite extended abstract proposals for chapters that explore the significance of songs sung in marginalised or minority languages within contemporary music genres (from indige-punk, metal, hardcore, hip hop, rap, pop and so on). For so many minority cultures, language signifies survival. Language presence in contemporary music … Read more