Synopsis
Like standard industrial music, industrial metal incorporates samples, synthesizers and experimental electronic effects to create richly layered sonic atmospheres. Unlike standard industrial music, however, industrial metal combines these elements with pounding - often heavily treated - guitar parts.
Ministry’s blend of industrial dance music with high-octane aggression and heavy metal guitars kick-started the industrial metal sub-genre in 1988. However, it was Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails whose perfectionist technical noodling enabled industrial metal to crossover into the mainstream in the early '90s.
Reznor spawned leagues of copycats and through his success industrial elements crept into other metal sub-genres – such as industrial thrash and industrial black metal.
Key band: Nine Inch Nails
In the early '90s, Trent Reznor took industrial metal to dizzying crossover success and even became a sex symbol.
Key album: Ministry - Land Of Rape And Honey (1988)
Ministry’s third album is packed with aggressive guitars and technical glitches that acted as a blueprint for industrial metal.
Key track: Rammstein - Du Hast (1997)
Industrial metal at its Teutonic best. Big synthesisers, huge drums and tightly compressed guitar riffs - it’s all here.
Further reading
The best industrial metal bands (according to the fans)