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: 8th ISMMS Biennial International Conference 202722 July 2026
  Introduction The ISMMS (International Society for Metal Music Studies), an international association that initiated new interdisciplinary research on metal music, was officially launched at the first conference held at Bowling Green State University (Ohio, United States) in April 2013. It was titled “Heavy Metal and Popular Culture.” This founding event was followed, in 2015, by … Read more
• Event: Women & Femme Voices in Metal: Feminist Strategies of Resistance17 July 2026
  Online event via Microsoft Teams Thursday, July 23 • 3 PM – 5:30 PM CEST The publication of Women & Femme Voices in Metal: Feminist Strategies of Resistance(Routledge, 2026), edited by Jasmine Hazel Shadrack and Francesca Stevens, will becelebrated with an online launch and panel discussion.Through an interdisciplinary, intersectional feminist lens, the collection examines persistentpatterns of … Read more
• 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