Europe is the birthplace of heavy metal, with Black Sabbath’s debut in Birmingham, England, in 1970 marking the genre’s genesis. The UK continued to define the movement with Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) inspiring a generation worldwide.

From there, heavy metal spread rapidly across the continent. Germany produced titans like Scorpions, Accept, and later the thrash “Teutonic Big Four” (Kreator, Sodom, Destruction, Tankard), while also pioneering power metal with Helloween and Blind Guardian, and symphonic metal with Rammstein’s industrial dominance. Sweden gave rise to melodic death metal in Gothenburg (In Flames, At the Gates, Dark Tranquillity) and black metal innovators like Bathory, who laid the foundations of Viking and black metal. Norway became synonymous with the second wave of black metal in the early 1990s, with bands such as Mayhem, Burzum, Darkthrone, and Emperor creating a movement as controversial as it was influential.

Elsewhere, Finland contributed through symphonic and melodic styles with Nightwish, Children of Bodom, and Amorphis, while Denmark produced legends like Mercyful Fate and King Diamond. The Netherlands became a hub for symphonic/gothic metal with Within Temptation, Epica, and Ayreon, while Belgium, Switzerland, and Austria each fostered extreme and avant-garde scenes (e.g. Celtic Frost, Pungent Stench).

Eastern Europe developed its own distinct voices under communism. Poland emerged with powerful death and black metal acts such as Vader and Behemoth, while Czechia’s Root and Krabathor gained underground respect. Hungary gave the world Tormentor, whose vocalist Attila Csihar would go on to join Norway’s Mayhem. Romania contributed with atmospheric bands like Negură Bunget, fusing folk and black metal.

Southern Europe also built vibrant metal traditions: Italy with progressive and symphonic acts like Rhapsody of Fire and Lacuna Coil, Spain with thrash and heavy metal pioneers such as Barón Rojo, and Greece with its distinctive black metal movement led by Rotting Christ, Varathron, and Necromantia.

Today, Europe remains the global heart of heavy metal. It is home to the world’s largest festivals — Wacken Open Air (Germany), Hellfest (France), Download Festival (UK), Tons of Rock (Norway), and Graspop Metal Meeting (Belgium) — attracting fans from all continents. With its mix of tradition, innovation, and regional flavours, Europe continues to define and expand heavy metal like no other continent.

Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
England
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Moldova
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Scotland
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine
Wales