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Quizzes > Music

Metal Quiz: Test Your Heavy Metal Knowledge

Quick, free heavy metal quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Bobby LeeUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for True Metalhead Quiz testing heavy metal knowledge on golden yellow background

Use this metal quiz to see how well you know heavy metal, from classic pioneers to modern riffs. Get instant results, learn a few new facts, and go deeper with our focused challenges like heavy metal trivia, a Metallica quiz, or broader rock music trivia to round out your score.

Which British band is often credited with pioneering heavy metal with their 1970 self-titled debut album?
Judas Priest
Deep Purple
Black Sabbath
Led Zeppelin
Black Sabbath's 1970 debut album introduced darker riffs, occult themes, and Tony Iommi's distinctive guitar tone, laying the foundation for heavy metal. Their combination of blues, rock, and ominous lyrics set them apart from contemporaries and influenced countless bands. The record's impact is still recognized today as a cornerstone of the genre.
Which instrument is typically responsible for the low-end rhythm in a metal band?
Vocals
Lead guitar
Drums
Electric bass
The electric bass provides the low-frequency backbone of metal music, locking in with the drums to create a powerful rhythm section. Its deep tones support the guitar riffs and add drive to the overall sound. Many metal bassists also use distortion or pick playing to be more prominent in the mix.
Which heavy metal subgenre is characterized by fast tempos, shrieking vocals, and blasting drums?
Glam metal
Power metal
Black metal
Doom metal
Black metal emphasizes high-speed tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, and shrieked vocals, often creating a cold and atmospheric sound. Its lyrical themes frequently include paganism, anti-Christianity, and nature. Originating in the early 1980s, it was popularized by bands like Bathory and Mayhem.
What American heavy metal band released the influential 1986 album "Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?"?
Megadeth
Metallica
Slayer
Anthrax
Megadeth's second studio album "Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?" showcased complex riffs, political lyrics, and Dave Mustaine's distinctive guitar work. It solidified their place in the 'Big Four' of thrash metal and influenced many bands that followed. The title track remains a thrash anthem to this day.
Which pioneering thrash metal band hails from the San Francisco Bay Area and released "Reign in Blood"?
Exodus
Anthrax
Metallica
Slayer
Slayer's 1986 album "Reign in Blood" is a landmark of extreme thrash, known for its breakneck speed and dark themes. Produced by Rick Rubin, it pushed technicality and intensity beyond its peers. Tracks like "Angel of Death" remain iconic within the genre.
What is the common term for a high-pitched vocal technique popularized by Ronnie James Dio?
Growling
Grunt vocals
Falsetto
Operatic vocals
Ronnie James Dio brought a classic, operatic style to heavy metal, emphasizing strong, melodic vibrato and wide vocal range. His influence redefined metal singing by combining power with lyrical storytelling. This approach became a hallmark for many power and traditional metal vocalists.
Which of these is NOT a recognized subgenre of heavy metal?
Punk rock
Black metal
Death metal
Thrash metal
Punk rock is a separate genre that emerged in the 1970s and, while influencing metal, is not classified as a metal subgenre. Death, black, and thrash metal all evolved directly from heavy metal and each developed distinct musical and thematic traits.
Which Metallica song opens with a fingerpicked intro followed by heavy riffs, featured on "Ride the Lightning"?
Fight Fire with Fire
Fade to Black
Creeping Death
For Whom the Bell Tolls
"Fade to Black" begins with an acoustic guitar intro before transitioning into distorted riffs, reflecting themes of despair. It was one of Metallica's first ballad-like songs and remains a fan favorite. The track demonstrated the band's growing compositional range on their second album.
Which vocalist is famously known as the "Prince of Darkness"?
Bruce Dickinson
Rob Halford
James Hetfield
Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne earned the nickname "Prince of Darkness" for his wild stage antics and dark lyrical themes during his time with Black Sabbath and solo career. His persona and music deeply influenced the theatrical side of heavy metal. He remains an iconic figure in rock history.
What is the title of Iron Maiden's debut studio album released in 1980?
The Number of the Beast
Powerslave
Iron Maiden
Killers
Iron Maiden's self-titled album introduced their galloping rhythm style and mascot Eddie to the world. Produced by Will Malone, it contained classics like "Phantom of the Opera." The record helped define the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.
Which death metal band released the album "Altars of Madness" in 1989?
Obituary
Morbid Angel
Death
Cannibal Corpse
Morbid Angel's debut "Altars of Madness" is a cornerstone of Florida death metal, featuring complex guitar work and growled vocals. It influenced countless bands in the extreme metal scene. The album was inducted into Decibel magazine's Hall of Fame.
Which Swedish extreme metal band is credited with coining the term "djent"?
Necrophagist
Dream Theater
Meshuggah
Opeth
Meshuggah's polymetric, palm-muted guitar style produced a distinctive "djent" sound, later named by fans. Their album "Nothing" showcased these rhythmic innovations. Meshuggah's technical approach inspired a new wave of progressive metal bands.
Which glam metal band had a hit with "Sweet Child o' Mine"?
Guns N' Roses
Mötley Crüe
Poison
Skid Row
Guns N' Roses released "Sweet Child o' Mine" on their debut album "Appetite for Destruction" in 1987. Slash's iconic opening riff and Axl Rose's vocals helped it reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It remains one of the era's defining tracks.
Which country is the band Sepultura originally from?
Spain
Brazil
Argentina
Mexico
Sepultura formed in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in 1984 and became pioneers of Brazilian thrash and groove metal. Their albums "Chaos A.D." and "Roots" blended indigenous rhythms with extreme metal. They opened global doors for South American metal bands.
Which subgenre combines heavy metal with classical music influences, often featuring epic themes?
Doom metal
Groove metal
Symphonic metal
Nu metal
Symphonic metal incorporates orchestral arrangements, choirs, and classical composition techniques alongside heavy guitar riffs. Bands like Nightwish and Epica brought this style to prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It often features grand, fantasy-themed lyrics.
Which seminal Bay Area thrash metal band featured the song "Among the Living"?
Anthrax
Testament
Exodus
Metallica
Anthrax's 1987 album 'Among the Living' is a landmark of thrash metal, blending punk energy with metallic aggression. The title track addresses the zombie horror movie serial killer Freddy Krueger. It cemented Anthrax as one of the Big Four.
What is the stage name of the vocalist of Black Sabbath on the album "Heaven and Hell"?
Tony Martin
Ronnie James Dio
Ian Gillan
Glenn Hughes
Ronnie James Dio replaced Ozzy Osbourne for Black Sabbath's 1980 album 'Heaven and Hell', bringing a more melodic and operatic vocal style. His presence revitalized the band and introduced classics like the title track. The collaboration is highly regarded in metal history.
Which progressive metal band released the album "Blackwater Park"?
Opeth
Symphony X
Tool
Dream Theater
Opeth's 'Blackwater Park' (2001) blended death metal brutality with progressive and acoustic passages, earning praise from fans and critics. Produced by Steven Wilson, it is often cited as their breakthrough work. The album's dynamics and songwriting have influenced many progressive metal acts.
Which Norwegian black metal musician was convicted of church arson in the early 1990s?
Varg Vikernes
Euronymous
Ihsahn
Fenriz
Varg Vikernes of Burzum was convicted in 1994 for church arson and the murder of fellow musician Øystein Aarseth (Euronymous). His actions and writings played a notorious role in the early Norwegian black metal scene. The events remain highly controversial within metal history.
Which Metallica album features the track "Enter Sandman" and became their best-selling release?
Master of Puppets
Metallica (The Black Album)
...And Justice for All
Kill 'Em All
Released in 1991, Metallica's self-titled album (commonly known as The Black Album) features "Enter Sandman," which propelled them into mainstream success. It became their fastest-selling record and remains their top seller with over 16 million copies in the U.S. alone. Its polished production marked a new era for the band.
Which band is known for pioneering the nu metal subgenre with their album "Follow the Leader"?
Korn
Slipknot
System of a Down
Linkin Park
Korn's 1998 album "Follow the Leader" solidified their nu metal status, combining downtuned riffs, hip-hop rhythms, and angsty vocals. The record went 4× Platinum and included hits like "Freak on a Leash." Korn's style influenced a generation of nu metal bands.
What is the nickname of Iron Maiden's mascot Eddie when featured on the album "Somewhere in Time", depicted as a cyborg?
Time Eddie
Mecha Eddie
Cyber Eddie
Steel Eddie
On Iron Maiden's 1986 album "Somewhere in Time," Eddie appears as a futuristic cyborg dubbed "Mecha Eddie." The synth-infused album cover complements the sci-fi themes explored in the music. It remains one of the band's most iconic visual designs.
Which Swiss extreme metal band released the demo "Satanic Rites" in 1983, influencing the development of death metal?
Venom
Celtic Frost
Possessed
Hellhammer
Hellhammer's 1983 demo "Satanic Rites" showcased primitive, raw production and dark themes that helped lay groundwork for death metal. After Hellhammer's demise, members formed Celtic Frost, carrying those extreme elements forward. Both bands are seminal in underground metal history.
Which Katatonia guitarist co-founded the death metal supergroup Bloodbath in 1998?
Mikael Åkerfeldt
Anders Nyström
Peter Tägtgren
Fredrik Nordström
Anders Nyström of Katatonia and Demented Play co-founded Bloodbath in 1998, bringing classic death metal influences to the project. They recruited vocalists and members from Opeth, Eucharist, and other Swedish acts. Bloodbath remains a respected name in old-school death metal circles.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Legendary Metal Bands -

    Recognize the artists who pioneered heavy metal by matching iconic band names and album titles in this heavy metal quiz.

  2. Distinguish Diverse Subgenres -

    Understand the key characteristics that differentiate thrash, death, doom, and other styles in this metal fan quiz.

  3. Recall Pivotal Moments in Metal History -

    Remember standout events and album releases that defined key eras of metal, boosting your metalhead trivia skills.

  4. Recognize Signature Riffs and Solos -

    Match famous guitar riffs and epic solos to their original tracks, sharpening your ear for classic metal music.

  5. Assess Your True Metalhead Status -

    Gauge your heavy metal knowledge and earn your "True Metalhead" title based on your quiz score and achievements.

  6. Deepen Your Metal Music Knowledge -

    Discover fun facts and behind-the-scenes stories about legendary performances and recordings, expanding your metal trivia arsenal.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Origins of True Metalhead Culture -

    The roots of heavy metal trace back to late 1960s pioneers like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, whose dark riffs and high-volume performances set a new standard (source: Oxford Music Online). A quick mnemonic - "Smoke Rising Brings Doom" for Sabbath's 1970 debut - helps remember the genre's birth. Understanding these origins is key to proving you're a true metalhead.

  2. Key Metal Subgenres -

    Heavy metal branches into distinct styles such as thrash (100 - 200 BPM with palm-muted riffs) and doom (slow tempos, down-tuned guitars) according to AllMusic. Remember the phrase "Fast Thrash, Slow Doom" to keep them straight. Recognizing these subgenres boosts your heavy metal quiz prowess and cements your metalhead trivia cred.

  3. Signature Riff Construction -

    Iconic riffs often use power chords (root - fifth intervals) and the minor pentatonic scale; Metallica's "Enter Sandman" riff is a classic example (Rolling Stone analysis). Practice the formula R - 5 - R - octave to craft your own air-guitar worthy lines. Mastering riff theory proves your metal music quiz strength and sharpens your musician's ear.

  4. Legendary Albums Timeline -

    From Iron Maiden's 1982 "The Number of the Beast" to Metallica's 1986 "Master of Puppets," mapping landmark releases offers a historical roadmap (source: University of Glasgow Metal Music Archive). Use the timeline trick "82, 86, 90s rise" to recall key dates. A solid grasp of album chronology helps you ace any metal fan quiz.

  5. Essential Metal Music Theory -

    Heavy metal often employs the Phrygian dominant scale (1, b2, 3, 4, 5, b6, b7) for its exotic, dark sound (Grove Music Online). Practice solo runs using the pattern E - F - G# - A - B to internalize it. Knowing these scales separates casual listeners from true metalheads in any metalhead trivia showdown.

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