Heavy: The Story of Metal is a four-part documentary special that aired on VH1 from May 22 to 25, 2006. The series focuses on the origins, subgenres and the bands of heavy metal music, paying close attention to influential bands like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, who helped to define heavy metal in its early years. Other bands on the program include Alice Cooper, Kiss, AC/DC, Van Halen, Europe, Def Leppard, Quiet Riot, Mötley Crüe, Megadeth, Metallica, Anthrax, Guns N' Roses and Marilyn Manson. However, the documentary notably passes over lower profile metal subgenres such as death metal, black metal, doom metal, progressive metal, power metal and many others considered core elements of today's metal pantheon, focusing mostly on hard rock and traditional heavy metal. The documentary aired in Canada on MuchMoreMusic and on C4 in New Zealand. It is not available on DVD or video.

Summary

The show is broken down into four parts. Each part focuses on different eras of the genre.

Episodes

Interviews

The documentary features interviews from several heavy metal singers, musicians, authors, journalists, DJs, music historians, VJs, and record producers.