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

• Published: Riffs Journal Special Issue on Ozzy Osbourne25 June 2026
  Riffs has published a new open access special issue, Ozzy Osbourne (June 2026), edited by Asya Draganova and Benjamin Torrens. Following Black Sabbath’s final hometown performance, Back to the Beginning, in Birmingham and the global reflections about Ozzy Osbourne’s passing, the summer issue brings together a collection of perspectives about Ozzy’s legacy from academic researchers, … Read more
• CFP: Heavy Metal and Disability, Volume II: Blessed are the Sick3 June 2026
  Heavy Metal and Disability, Volume II: Blessed are the Sick Co-Editors: Jasmine Hazel Shadrack and Keith Kahn-Harris. Call for Papers: Trauma and disability are [often] discussed in similar terms. Trauma results from a profoundly distressing experience—war, abuse, migration, a sudden death—and is often the focus of therapeutic efforts to heal and become “normal” again. Disability … Read more
• CFP: A Collection on Faith No More (title tbc)15 May 2026
  Call for Papers – A Collection on Faith No More (title tbc) Co-Editors: Jasmine Hazel Shadrack and Samuel Thomas Background & Rationale: Faith No More are widely regarded as one of the most important and singular bands to make the transition from the 1980s underground to the Billboard Hot 100 and a period of MTV-approved … Read more