True metal

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True metal is a subjective term which is said to have been coined and used by the band Manowar in the 1980s.

It is thought that the term was originally a statement against a subgenre of metal, known as glam metal. The term came into wider use during the 1990s as newer subgenres such as nu-metal and alternative metal came into existence. However, fans of the original, hard rock based metal are not known to generally use this term.

Some debate the former understanding, simply because the band Manowar have never expressed much regard for glam metal bands such as Poison. So, it was suggested that "Death To False Metal!" refers mostly to extreme metal, which is ironic, as extreme metal fans and bands view death metal and similar genres as "true metal." Other evidence which adds strength to this claim came when Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden, during an internet hosted interview with "The Three Amigos" (Murray/Gers/Smith), was asked if he/they enjoy Norwegian black metal; he replied: "No. Death To False Metal!". However, Manowar have taken Immortal on tour with them, and band member Joey DeMaio claims that Immortal play "true metal."

In the new age of metal, there are mainly three types of True Metal: Power Metal, Pagan/Viking/Folk Metal, and some types of Ambient. Lyrics in True Metal bands usually involve fantasy/sci-fi themes, but not all sing about that. There are many True Metal bands that sing about nature, life, mythology, history, religion, and struggles. Many state that by listening to True Metal, it lifts up their spirit and gives them a positive feeling about themselves and the world, which normal metal bands cannot do. This is the reason it is called "True Metal" because only the truest form of metal can give you this feeling, otherwise stated, it is what metal should sound like and stand for.

True Metal does not have to have guitars or metal style singing in their music, for example, the band Finntroll did an entire album with no electric guitars and is still considered true metal. Many ambient and folk metal groups also have songs with only instrumental/and or with soft female singing.

In the Manowar song 'Metal Warriors' the intro goes as follows:

Everyone of us has heard the call, Brothers of true metal, proud and standing tall!

While in the past false metal could've been many different genres, now Nu metal, Metalcore, Alternative metal and similar newer genres are generally considered false metal.