Scotland has played an important role in the UK’s heavy metal history, both through its own bands and as a breeding ground for influential musicians. The country’s metal roots stretch back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, when acts such as Holocaust from Edinburgh became part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement, influencing later bands with their raw, powerful sound. Glasgow’s Heavy Pettin blended hard rock and heavy metal, gaining attention in the mid-80s.
In the thrash and extreme metal sphere, Scotland produced notable acts like The Exploited (though more punk crossover), Man Must Die, and blackened thrashers Hellripper, who have achieved international acclaim in recent years. Folk and Celtic influences have also shaped the Scottish scene, with bands such as Saor and Cnoc An Tursa incorporating traditional melodies, bagpipes, and Gaelic themes into atmospheric black metal.
Scotland has hosted major international metal shows and festivals, with Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom, the O2 Academy, and Edinburgh’s La Belle Angele serving as key venues for touring acts.
CITIES
FAMOUS METAL BANDS FROM SCOTLAND
Alestorm
Cnoc An Tursa
The Exploited
Heavy Pettin
Hellripper
Holocaust
La Paz
Man Must Die
Nazareth
Saor
The Almighty
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