Just In:2025’s Metal Grammy Nominees Show Progress And Regression For The Recording Academy….

The Grammy Awards have long been one of the most prestigious accolades in the music industry, celebrating excellence across a wide array of genres. However, the Metal category, which was introduced in 1989, has consistently been a point of contention. The Recording Academy’s approach to recognizing metal music often seems out of touch with the genre’s evolving landscape, causing frustration among both fans and musicians alike.

In the 2025 edition of the Grammys, the nominees for Best Metal Performance have once again sparked a debate, highlighting both progress and regression. On one hand, the selection of nominees reflects the growing diversity and international reach of metal. On the other, the lack of certain key acts and the inclusion of some less groundbreaking choices have left many questioning whether the Academy truly understands the genre. The 2025 Metal Grammy nominations show that while some positive steps have been taken, the genre still has a long way to go in terms of recognition and representation.

The Evolution of Metal at the Grammys

The Grammys’ relationship with metal has always been rocky. In its early years, the category was met with some degree of condescension, with many members of the Academy viewing metal as a niche, juvenile genre. In the 1990s, metal bands like Metallica and Slayer were nominated, but it wasn’t until the 2000s that the Academy seemed to start taking metal seriously. However, even during this time, the Metal Grammy nomination pool often favored established, mainstream acts, leaving out the more underground or experimental scenes.

As the 2010s unfolded, the landscape of metal began to shift significantly. Bands from diverse backgrounds, exploring a wide variety of subgenres, began to dominate the scene. Black metal, progressive metal, post-metal, and even metalcore bands started to gain wider recognition, and the genre began to evolve. The 2020s saw further diversification, with more international acts coming into the fold, further complicating the task of categorizing what is “metal.” Despite this, the Recording Academy has remained somewhat conservative in its choices, still often leaning toward established acts and traditional subgenres, rather than fully embracing the breadth of metal music.

Progress in the 2025 Nominees

The 2025 nominees in the Best Metal Performance category reflect some positive changes. Perhaps the most notable is the inclusion of more international acts, which indicates that the Academy is starting to acknowledge metal’s global appeal. In the past, U.S.-based bands dominated the category, but this year sees the inclusion of artists from across the world, particularly from Europe and South America.

For instance, the inclusion of the Brazilian band Angra is a milestone for South American metal. The band, long celebrated in their home country and around the world for their blend of power and progressive metal, has often been overlooked by the Grammys in favor of other acts. Their nomination signals a shift towards greater inclusivity and recognition of non-English language metal acts.

Additionally, the nomination of Zeal & Ardor, a genre-defying project that blends black metal with African-American spirituals and blues, is another positive sign. Their innovative fusion of genres pushes the boundaries of what metal can be, and their recognition by the Academy highlights a growing openness to the more avant-garde, experimental side of metal.

Another notable nominee is Ghost, whose theatrical and melodic brand of metal continues to gain mainstream success. The band’s ability to blend accessibility with the heaviness of metal has made them one of the genre’s most commercially viable acts. Their consistent Grammy recognition over the years is a reflection of their popularity, but it also speaks to the changing tastes of the Academy, which has shown a willingness to embrace metal bands that break traditional molds.

Regression in the 2025 Nominees

Despite these positive steps, there are still areas where the 2025 Metal Grammy nominees fall short, revealing a continued lack of understanding of the genre’s evolution. A major issue is the absence of several key acts that have not only defined metal over the last decade but have also pushed the boundaries of the genre in important ways.

One glaring omission is Gojira, the French progressive metal band whose 2024 album Fortitude was widely regarded as one of the year’s best. Gojira has become one of the most influential modern metal bands, and their exclusion from the 2025 nominees is puzzling. Their blend of complex rhythms, environmental activism, and thought-provoking lyrics has earned them widespread acclaim, yet the Recording Academy failed to recognize their importance. This lack of recognition for Gojira raises questions about the Academy’s ability to keep up with the cutting edge of metal.