Broadcast Outage: We're investigating a broadcast transmission failure affecting the San Luis Valley from Antonito in the south to Salida in the north. We're working to resolve this issue. You can stream our live broadcast HERE or via the RMPBS+ App.

Stream live and on-demand content now on our new app:

RMPBS+

Donate

Help tell more stories in 2026 - make a year-end gift!

Sound Field show's poster

Arts and Music

What Makes Heavy Metal Sound Devilish?

Arthur Buckner and Linda Diaz are accomplished musicians and music teachers exploring the music theory, production, history and culture behind our favorite songs and musical styles.

What Makes Heavy Metal Sound Devilish?

Season 5 Episode 5 | 12m 20s | CC

Linda Diaz and Joey Hays chat with members of the legendary bands Gwar and Impaler to uncover how metal drew inspiration from horror movies and dark themes to create a theatrically dark vibe. Diaz and Hays also dig into the 1980s Satanic Panic, when media hysteria and conservative backlash made bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest the targets of controversy.

share

Sound Field

Watch more episodes

Why The Funkiest Music Is Coming From Brazil

What happened when American Funk made it's way to Brazil? The answer is Baile Funk.

Why This Mexican Genre Is Growing As Fast As K-Pop

Linda Diaz explores the global phenomenon of Sierreño music through the lens of Gen Z musicians.

How Do You Preserve a Thousands Year Old Musical Style?

Explore Hmong cultural preservation through music, focusing on the styles of lug txaj and kwv txhiaj

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

Get trusted Colorado stories, programs, and events from Rocky Mountain PBS straight to your inbox.

Set Your Preferences >