Heavy metal is a genre of music that has a much smaller fan base than that of country, pop or hip-hop. However, it is a genre that has been shown to have a much more dedicated fan base. Here are seven heavy metal bands that could possibly get you into this genre.

1. Dream Theater

Dream Theater are a progressive metal band that formed in 1985 and originated in Long Island, New York. They have amazing musical prowess and are able to perform incredibly long pieces of great-quality music. Their latest album, The Astonishing, was over two hours long and it had a fantastic rock opera feel to it. Dream Theater definitely takes patience to get into, but their music is always an incredible listening experience.

2. Mastodon

Mastodon are a progressive and sludge metal band that formed in 2000 and originated in Atlanta, Georgia. This band always tends to have interesting concepts. For example, their second album, Leviathan, is based on Moby Dick. Another interesting fact about Mastodon is three of the four band members frequently trade vocal duties, even on the same song. This gives the band a truly unique identity.

3. Volbeat

Volbeat are a heavy metal band that formed in 2001 and originated in Copenhagen, Denmark. This beat blends modern heavy metal with some classic rock and roll influences, which offers for a unique sound, especially vocally. They also reference a lot of old Western culture into their music, such as with theier album artwork and various titles of songs.

4. Machine Head

Machine Head are a groove and thrash metal band that formed in 1991 and originated in Oakland, California. This is a band that is chock full of heavy riffs and head-banging music.

5. Five Finger Death Punch

Five Finger Death Punch are a heavy and groove metal band that formed in 2005 and originated in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a band that can produce several harsh, aggressive tunes and several softer and more melodic tracks on the same album and have it flow wonderfully.

6. Avatar

Avatar are a melodic death metal band that formed in 2001 and originated in Gothenburg, Sweden. They are a melodic death metal band that incorporates so many more styles into their music. They have such a unique sound and concept that they're definitely worth a try.

7. Killswitch Engage

Killswitch Engage are a metalcore band that formed in 1999 and originated in Westfield, Massachusetts. They have had two different vocalists throughout their tenure, but they have always managed to deliver hard-hitting yet melodic music.

Maybe after you've checked out one or two of these bands, you'll soon start calling yourself a proud metalhead.