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

• CFP: Scenes and survival: building sustainable futures for local metal music scenes13 July 2026
  One day conference Liverpool John Moores University Conference organiser: Dr Nedim Hassan (Chief Editor Metal Music Studies) Friday 4th September 2026 Scenes and survival: building sustainable futures for local metal music scenes is a joint academic and industry conference that seeks to explore how contemporary metal music scenes develop strategies for sustenance and survival. Its … Read more
• CFP: Metal in Central and Eastern Europe (planned with Kohlhammer Meta/Metal)13 July 2026
  We seek 5k–6k-word chapters on glocalization, transfers, infrastructures, crises, religion/politics, NSBM/antimilitarism, war & diaspora, zines/archives, festivals/economies, and methods/meta-questions acrosssocialist, post-socialist, and contemporary CEE. Abstracts (500 words) + bio (200 words) due 31 July 2026.Editors: Ondřej Daniel, Peter Pichler, Jörg Scheller, Miroslav Vrzal.Chicago style. Peer-reviewed series; OA possible subject to funding. Metal is a significant global … Read more
• 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