The ‘metal is girlypop’ trend is redefining metal music by combining cutesy dances with thrashing songs like ‘Custer’ by Slipknot. As posts about 'metal girls' gain traction online, this trend challenges the boys’ club mentality in metal, creating an inclusive community for female fans.
Veteran music journalist and author Jon Wiederhorn is also editor and host of podcast Backstaged: The Devil in Metal. His books include Raising Hell: Backstage Tales From the Lives of Metal Legends, and Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History of Metal.
Founder of Maverick Soundz, Mariska Ariya is empowering the next generation of musicians to streamline their music promotion. With over 15 years in the entertainment industry working with Apple, Audible, ITVX, and BBC, she remains a steady advocate for women in music, and actively seeks to support future leaders.
Maria Papageorgiou owns The Circle Music, a record label established in 2020, working with renowned artists such as Lake of Tears, Ataraxia, Necromantia, Corvus Corax, Jarboe, Faith & The Muse, Trail of Tears, and The Magus.
Eve Upton-Clark is a freelance features writer and copywriter from London, based in Amsterdam, covering culture and society. Her work has been published globally in publications including Business Insider, i-D, Vice, Dazed, Refinery 29 and more.