This document provides an overview of the genre of metal music. It begins by establishing the author's experience with metal music as a long-time listener and occasional writer. The core of metal is traced back to blues rock bands like Black Sabbath, known for heavy riffs and distorted tones. Punk rock also influenced many metal subgenres. Thrash metal in the 1980s from bands like the "Big 4" helped define that style. The document outlines many metal subgenres and notes that fans vigorously debate how to classify bands. It concludes by advising new listeners to follow their own tastes and check blogs and magazines to continue learning about metal.