Popular Hard Rock & Metal Events Near Columbus 

Whether you were introduced to hard rock and heavy metal through the music of pioneers like Led Zeppelin, glam metal bands such as Def Leppard, or ‘90s-era grunge groups like Nirvana, the genre spans many styles with its origins dating back to the 1960s. With roots in psychedelic and blues rock, the genre is most often defined by intense vocals, distorted guitars, and powerful drums, as well as volume that creates an in-your-face experience—one that many metalheads consider to be a near-religious sort of sensation. Fans of hard rock and heavy metal can find tickets to many different concerts, from long-time favorites like Metallica and Ozzy Osbourne to more contemporary stars such as Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie.

Hard Rock & Metal History

Beginning in the mid-1960s, and largely in the UK, hard rock and heavy metal developed into major forms of music, with notable bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, AC/DC, Van Halen, and many more. By the mid-1970s, bands such as Judas Priest spurred the evolution of the genre by getting rid of its blues influence, while Motörhead introduced punk sensibilities to create what’s known as speed metal. During the 1980s, many bands moved in a more pop-rock direction, creating the glam metal sounds we’ve come to associate with groups such as Mötley Crüe, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, and Poison.

The underground scene also thrived during this time, producing more aggressive styles like the thrash metal of Megadeth and the groove metal of Pantera. By the 1990s, artists such as Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Slipknot had introduced nu metal, a style that also combines elements of hip hop and grunge. Today, metal and hard rock contain more subgenres than ever, from extreme black metal to raw garage rock. No matter what type of music you’re after, there’s a ticket to please every kind of metal and hard rock fan.

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