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 Updates

C Squared with Holly Royle – ‘Female Fronted Metal’ Podcast

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Check out this podcast featuring metal scholar Holly Royle along with her PR colleagues and fellow musicians: Curtis Dewar, Gaia Guarda, and Sarah Lindsey from Book of Wyrms. Holly is a PhD student researching masculinities in heavy metal at the University of Chester. Her research brings in her experience as a musician, journalist, and music […]

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IASPM-US 2022 Call For Proposals

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On behalf of IASPM-US, please check out the call for the 2022 conference, and consider sending in a proposal. Horns up!   IASPM-US 2022 Conference: Grooves and Movements May 26-May 28, 2022 Ann Arbor/Detroit Michigan Dates and Place: The International Association for the Study of Popular Music-United States chapter (IASPM-US) invites proposals for its annual […]

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Glocal Metal w/ Didier Goossens

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Glocal metal   Didier Goossens    Not long after the first metal music studies, attention arose for its ways of production, distribution and consumption across the globe, with significant attention for non-Anglo American/European contexts. This became theorized as the global metal scene. But that utopic idea steals the thunder of many unique contexts of local metal scenes by depicting a global industry of artists, labels, platforms and fans – while some artists might not even aim for global audiences. This explains the need for a new critical framework, one that attends to the specific contexts of metal music […]

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Mexico 2022

Heavy Metal Music in the Global South: Multiregional Perspectives

ISMMS 5th Biennial Research Conference will be held in June 2022 at Mexico’s National Autonomous University (San Ildefonso College).

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Metal Studies Bibliography

Maintained by Amaranta Saguar García & Brian Arnold Hickam, the Metal Studies Bibliography is an open access database of academic literature and a vital resource for researchers in metal music studies.

Do you study metal music?

Join ISMMS to be a part of the society dedicated to developing the field of metal music studies. Gain access to the journal Metal Music Studies, the latest information from the society, newsletters, and more!

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Metal Methodology – Our Podcast Series

Metal Music Studies – The Journal