Cohesiveness

• A cohesive band structure is important. As a general rule of thumb, individual musicians need to be in a musical environment with peers they respect and can create music together. However, with heavy metal music, there is a need for cohesive musical playing. Many heavy metal songs include fast tempos and complicated song structures. Without musicians that can keep up with the speed, tempo or complexity, the band might fail. Also, much of heavy metal music includes lyrical and attitude stances that can be divisive. As the heavy metal website Dark Legions Archive notes, heavy metal music, with its dark lyrics and aggressive playing, requires musicians to be assertive and borderline egotistical. Musicians must have patience for each other and maybe a common bond in order to overcome attitudes that often break up bands.
  
  

Finding the Right Members

• A heavy metal band usually needs at least four-to-five members to epitomize the sound. One musician needed is the lead guitarist, who will perform the majority of guitar solos and non-chord-based guitar tracks on songs. You'll also need a rhythm guitarist who can play fast-tempo notes or hit hard power chords. The bass player has a number of roles to play in songs: He keeps the rhythm of the song and plays notes in the lowest octaves, giving heavy metal grooves the heavy sound classically attributed to the genre. Drums are also needed, especially drums that will keep up with some of the fast tempos of songs. Finally, a singer who has a large vocal spectrum, from screams to symphonic notes, is also required for a metal band.
  
  

Ads and Social Media

• Like all bands, heavy metal musicians can find kindred spirits in communities and on websites. Going to frequent underground heavy metal shows or stadium-filling concerts is a must for musicians. At these concerts, you can interact and socialize with fans, some of whom might be musicians. Local or underground shows are the best, since the people at these shows are more likely to be from your general geographic area. This will allow you to network with people who enjoy the same music as you. Reading magazines or blogs that are centered on heavy metal is also important. This can help you network "musician wanted" ads or communicate via the Internet with interested fans.
  
  

Jam

• Before you decide on a band name or image, you need to jam with people. Go over to people's houses and jam for a few hours. Play songs everyone knows, such as classic songs from Metallica, Judas Priest, Slayer, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. Jamming is an important cohesive measure, since it will show how each band member plays with each other. During these early jam sessions, early songs or stage chemistry may form. Otherwise, these jam sessions should be fun experiences in which each musician learns from each other and how to play together. The more time you jam, the greater likelihood that the musicians will be able to coalesce into a workable heavy metal band.