It’s been about nine years since Reddit user depo_s mapped out the density of heavy metal bands around the world in 2012. So has the geography of heavy metal bands changed since then?
Heavy metal is a music genre that originated in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Also referred to as metal, the music is known for its “distorted guitar ‘power chords’, heavy riffs, wailing vocals and virtuosic solos by guitarists and drummers” (Oxford Music Dictionary).
Since then, Heavy Metal has become enormously popular.
A 2015 Spotify survey found that heavy metal fans are the most loyal listeners. TuneCore, the platform for independent musicians, also released statistics on total user use (streaming and otherwise accessing the music) in 2018 that showed that heavy metal was the fastest growing genre with a 154% increase over 2017.
Heavy metal’s fanbase has a global reach. Likewise, musicians in this genre also hail from a range of countries. This select list of classic bands and current standouts (compiled by Gryffyd Dempsey) highlights some of the countries of origin for heavy metal bands:
- USA: Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer, Pantera, Pig Destroyer, System of a Down, Cannibal Corpse, Red Fang, Mastodon, Morbid Angel, Rage Against the Machine, Queensrÿche, Dio, Tool
- Canada: Voivod, Kataklysm
- Brazil: Sepultura
- UK: Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Napalm Death, Black Sabbath, Venom, Motörhead, Bolt Thrower
- Germany: Scorpions, Accept, Kreator, Rammstein, Sodom, Destruction
- France: Gojira
- Sweden: Opeth, Amon Amarth, Meshuggah, Bathory, Entombed
- Norway: Mayhem, Emperor, Dimmu Borgir
- Switzerland: Celtic Frost
So where are heavy metal bands the most prevalent today?
Data Sources for the Geography of Heavy Metal Bands
To look at the geography of heavy metal bands, data was pulled from two sources. First, active listings of heavy metal bands based on country of origin was compiled from the Encyclopaedia Metallum. Heavy metal has numerous sub-genres and Encyclopaedia Metallum has specific requirements for the types of bands that can be included in their database. For example, Nu Metal, which integrates elements of other music genres, is not allowed.
July 2021 population estimates for each country were compiled from the CIA World Factbook.
For the purposes of this article, the countries counted include special administrative units and sovereign states in order to correspond with the associated entries in the Encyclopaedia Metallum and will be collectively referred to as countries.
The Åland Islands, which has a separate entry (3 bands), was grouped with Finland. Svalbard (1 band) was grouped with Norway.
How Many Countries Have Heavy Metal Bands?
Overall, 145 countries have at least one active heavy metal band. The collective total of active heavy metal bands for all 145 countries is 81,207.
This is a net increase of ten countries since 2012 (135) but a decrease of 2,035 active listings. Two countries no longer have active heavy metal bands: Congo and Guam. Twelve countries/territories were added with active bands since 2012: Afghanistan, Cambodia, East Timor, French Polynesia, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Jersey, Mauritius, Palestine, Réunion, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and Zimbabwe.
Which Countries Have the Most Heavy Metal Bands?
As an absolute number, the United States stands out as the country with the most heavy metal bands. With 17,557 active entries in the Encyclopaedia Metallum, the United States has more than three times the number of bands that than the second country on the list: Germany with 5,726.
The top 15 countries with the most heavy metal bands are:
Ranking | Country | Bands | Percentage of Total Bands |
1 | United States | 17,557 | 21.62% |
2 | Germany | 5,726 | 7.05% |
3 | Brazil | 4,173 | 5.14% |
4 | Italy | 3,623 | 4.46% |
5 | United Kingdom | 3,244 | 3.99% |
6 | Russia | 3,072 | 3.78% |
7 | France | 2,900 | 3.57% |
8 | Canada | 2,756 | 3.39% |
9 | Mexico | 2,400 | 2.96% |
10 | Finland | 2,381 | 2.93% |
11 | Sweden | 2,281 | 2.81% |
12 | Chile | 2,096 | 2.58% |
13 | Spain | 2,002 | 2.47% |
14 | Argentina | 1,907 | 2.35% |
15 | Indonesia | 1,601 | 1.97% |
Which Countries Have the Highest Number of Heavy Metal Bands Per 100,000 Residents?
When per 100,000 resident value for heavy metal bands is calculated, the rankings shift. Finland may only be the 65th largest country in the world but it ranked number one both in 2012 and 2021 as the country with the highest ratio of heavy metal bands to 100,000 residents. There are now roughly 42.61 bands per 100,000 residents in Finland.
Nordic countries in general have continued to dominate in the per capita rankings with Iceland and Sweden ranking second and third respectively. Faroe Islands ranks fourth and newcomer to the list, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, ranks fifth with just one band and a population of 5,321. Norway ranks sixth on the list.
The complete table of bands per country can be found at the end of this article.
The top 15 rankings are as follows:
Ranking | Country | Metal bands per 100000 people | Bands | Population |
1 | Finland | 42.613 | 2,381 | 5,587,442 |
2 | Iceland | 31.900 | 113 | 354,234 |
3 | Sweden | 22.228 | 2,281 | 10,261,767 |
4 | Faroe Islands | 21.177 | 11 | 51,943 |
5 | Saint Pierre and Miquelon | 18.793 | 1 | 5,321 |
6 | Norway | 18.277 | 1,007 | 5,509,591 |
7 | Liechtenstein | 17.755 | 7 | 39,425 |
8 | Greece | 11.694 | 1,236 | 10,569,703 |
9 | Chile | 11.449 | 2,096 | 18,307,925 |
10 | Malta | 11.066 | 51 | 460,891 |
11 | Estonia | 11.065 | 135 | 1,220,042 |
12 | Guernsey | 10.396 | 7 | 67,334 |
13 | Greenland | 10.381 | 6 | 57,799 |
14 | Gibraltar | 10.164 | 3 | 29,516 |
15 | Czech Republic | 9.007 | 964 | 10,702,596 |
Interactive Map of Heavy Metal Bands by Country
This interactive map of heavy metal bands by country lets you explore the data. Hover over any country to see the number of bands, 2021 population, and per capita rate of heavy metal bands. You can also zoom in to see detail. Hover over the legend to see the countries that fall within each category highlighted.
A static version of this map is available immediately below this interactive map.
Note: Some of the smaller countries and territories were not able to be listed on the map.
Static Map: Number of Heavy Metal Bands Per 100,000 People
Table: Number of Heavy Metal Bands Per Country, 2021
Here is the complete list of the number of active heavy metal bands per country along with the July 2021 population estimates for each country.
Country/Territory | Metal bands per 100000 people | Bands | Population |
Afghanistan | 0.005 | 2 | 37,466,414 |
Albania | 0.227 | 7 | 3,088,385 |
Algeria | 0.037 | 16 | 43,576,691 |
Andorra | 2.335 | 2 | 85,645 |
Angola | 0.024 | 8 | 33,642,646 |
Argentina | 4.158 | 1,907 | 45,864,941 |
Armenia | 0.631 | 19 | 3,011,609 |
Australia | 5.986 | 1,545 | 25,809,973 |
Austria | 7.473 | 664 | 8,884,864 |
Azerbaijan | 0.088 | 9 | 10,282,283 |
Bahrain | 0.393 | 6 | 1,526,929 |
Bangladesh | 0.040 | 65 | 164,098,818 |
Barbados | 0.994 | 3 | 301,865 |
Belarus | 3.103 | 293 | 9,441,842 |
Belgium | 5.654 | 666 | 11,778,842 |
Belize | 0.247 | 1 | 405,633 |
Bolivia | 2.067 | 243 | 11,758,869 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2.248 | 86 | 3,824,782 |
Botswana | 0.298 | 7 | 2,350,667 |
Brazil | 1.955 | 4,173 | 213,445,417 |
Brunei | 3.184 | 15 | 471,103 |
Bulgaria | 2.934 | 203 | 6,919,180 |
Myanmar | 0.016 | 9 | 57,069,099 |
Cambodia | 0.012 | 2 | 17,304,363 |
Canada | 7.263 | 2,756 | 37,943,231 |
Chile | 11.449 | 2,096 | 18,307,925 |
China | 0.020 | 284 | 1,397,897,720 |
Colombia | 2.961 | 1,491 | 50,355,650 |
Costa Rica | 4.562 | 235 | 5,151,140 |
Croatia | 5.892 | 248 | 4,208,973 |
Cuba | 0.489 | 54 | 11,032,343 |
Cyprus | 4.058 | 52 | 1,281,506 |
Czech Republic | 9.007 | 964 | 10,702,596 |
Denmark | 8.482 | 500 | 5,894,687 |
Dominican Republic | 0.293 | 31 | 10,597,348 |
East Timor | 0.071 | 1 | 1,413,958 |
Ecuador | 2.750 | 470 | 17,093,159 |
Egypt | 0.039 | 41 | 106,437,241 |
El Salvador | 1.471 | 96 | 6,528,135 |
Estonia | 11.065 | 135 | 1,220,042 |
Faroe Islands | 21.177 | 11 | 51,943 |
Finland | 42.613 | 2,381 | 5,587,442 |
France | 4.259 | 2,900 | 68,084,217 |
French Polynesia | 0.337 | 1 | 297,154 |
Georgia | 0.466 | 23 | 4,933,674 |
Germany | 7.166 | 5,726 | 79,903,481 |
Gibraltar | 10.164 | 3 | 29,516 |
Greece | 11.694 | 1,236 | 10,569,703 |
Greenland | 10.381 | 6 | 57,799 |
Guatemala | 0.649 | 113 | 17,422,821 |
Guernsey | 10.396 | 7 | 67,334 |
Guyana | 0.254 | 2 | 787,971 |
Honduras | 0.535 | 50 | 9,346,277 |
Hong Kong | 0.427 | 31 | 7,263,234 |
Hungary | 6.209 | 604 | 9,728,337 |
Iceland | 31.900 | 113 | 354,234 |
India | 0.015 | 196 | 1,339,330,514 |
Indonesia | 0.582 | 1,601 | 275,122,131 |
Iran | 0.109 | 94 | 85,888,910 |
Iraq | 0.030 | 12 | 39,650,145 |
Ireland | 4.421 | 231 | 5,224,884 |
Isle of Man | 1.100 | 1 | 90,895 |
Israel | 1.878 | 165 | 8,787,045 |
Italy | 5.807 | 3,623 | 62,390,364 |
Jamaica | 0.071 | 2 | 2,816,602 |
Japan | 1.057 | 1,318 | 124,687,293 |
Jersey | 2.956 | 3 | 101,476 |
Jordan | 0.183 | 20 | 10,909,567 |
Kazakhstan | 0.130 | 25 | 19,245,793 |
Kenya | 0.011 | 6 | 54,685,051 |
Kuwait | 0.165 | 5 | 3,032,065 |
Kyrgyzstan | 0.100 | 6 | 6,018,789 |
Laos | 0.092 | 7 | 7,574,356 |
Latvia | 4.456 | 83 | 1,862,687 |
Lebanon | 0.475 | 25 | 5,261,372 |
Libya | 0.057 | 4 | 7,017,224 |
Liechtenstein | 17.755 | 7 | 39,425 |
Lithuania | 3.983 | 108 | 2,711,566 |
Luxembourg | 5.941 | 38 | 639,589 |
North Macedonia | 2.960 | 63 | 2,128,262 |
Madagascar | 0.058 | 16 | 27,534,354 |
Malaysia | 1.366 | 458 | 33,519,406 |
Maldives | 1.536 | 6 | 390,669 |
Malta | 11.066 | 51 | 460,891 |
Mauritius | 0.144 | 2 | 1,386,129 |
Mexico | 1.843 | 2,400 | 130,207,371 |
Moldova | 0.752 | 25 | 3,323,875 |
Monaco | 6.406 | 2 | 31,223 |
Mongolia | 0.156 | 5 | 3,198,913 |
Montenegro | 1.482 | 9 | 607,414 |
Morocco | 0.060 | 22 | 36,561,813 |
Mozambique | 0.003 | 1 | 30,888,034 |
Namibia | 0.037 | 1 | 2,678,191 |
Nepal | 0.076 | 23 | 30,424,878 |
Netherlands | 6.252 | 1,084 | 17,337,403 |
New Caledonia | 1.703 | 5 | 293,608 |
New Zealand | 5.770 | 288 | 4,991,442 |
Nicaragua | 0.561 | 35 | 6,243,931 |
Norway | 18.277 | 1,007 | 5,509,591 |
Oman | 0.054 | 2 | 3,694,755 |
Pakistan | 0.008 | 19 | 238,181,034 |
Palestine | 0.034 | 1 | 2,949,246 |
Panama | 1.375 | 54 | 3,928,646 |
Paraguay | 2.393 | 174 | 7,272,639 |
Peru | 1.248 | 402 | 32,201,224 |
Philippines | 0.232 | 257 | 110,818,325 |
Poland | 3.988 | 1,523 | 38,185,913 |
Portugal | 7.327 | 752 | 10,263,850 |
Puerto Rico | 3.214 | 101 | 3,142,779 |
Qatar | 0.121 | 3 | 2,479,995 |
Réunion | 1.048 | 9 | 858,450 |
Romania | 1.272 | 270 | 21,230,362 |
Russia | 2.159 | 3,072 | 142,320,790 |
Saint Pierre and Miquelon | 18.793 | 1 | 5,321 |
San Marino | 8.704 | 3 | 34,467 |
Saudi Arabia | 0.026 | 9 | 34,783,757 |
Serbia | 4.086 | 285 | 6,974,289 |
Singapore | 2.949 | 173 | 5,866,139 |
Slovakia | 6.567 | 357 | 5,436,066 |
Slovenia | 7.802 | 164 | 2,102,106 |
South Africa | 0.290 | 165 | 56,978,635 |
South Korea | 0.282 | 146 | 51,715,162 |
Spain | 4.236 | 2,002 | 47,260,584 |
Sri Lanka | 0.130 | 30 | 23,044,123 |
Suriname | 0.325 | 2 | 614,749 |
Sweden | 22.228 | 2,281 | 10,261,767 |
Switzerland | 7.452 | 630 | 8,453,550 |
Syria | 0.108 | 22 | 20,384,316 |
Taiwan | 0.335 | 79 | 23,572,052 |
Tajikistan | 0.033 | 3 | 8,990,874 |
Thailand | 0.190 | 132 | 69,480,520 |
Trinidad and Tobago | 0.409 | 5 | 1,221,047 |
Tunisia | 0.212 | 25 | 11,811,335 |
Turkey | 0.399 | 329 | 82,482,383 |
Turkmenistan | 0.036 | 2 | 5,579,889 |
Uganda | 0.004 | 2 | 44,712,143 |
Ukraine | 1.634 | 715 | 43,745,640 |
United Arab Emirates | 0.142 | 14 | 9,856,612 |
United Kingdom | 4.911 | 3,244 | 66,052,076 |
United States | 5.241 | 17,557 | 334,998,398 |
Uruguay | 3.561 | 121 | 3,398,239 |
Uzbekistan | 0.029 | 9 | 30,842,796 |
Venezuela | 1.180 | 343 | 29,069,153 |
Vietnam | 0.020 | 21 | 102,789,598 |
Zimbabwe | 0.013 | 2 | 14,829,988 |