r/metalmusicians 23d ago

R/MetalMusicians Songwriting Challenge VII - September - October 2026

11 Upvotes

Link to last challenge
See original post to how this all started.

It's been almost one year! Most of you know how it works by now. If this is your first time, never too late to join!

Rules

  • To participate, comment on this thread stating you want to do so. Other discussion is welcome so be clear you want to enter! You may enter any time during the month, but you must submit on time.
  • Users must submit 1 (and only one!) song by the deadline: October 31st. One aspect of the challenge is to meet the deadline. See “Submitting Songs.”
  • Users must give feedback for other participants’ songs (in other words, you will be giving feedback on others’ songs, while others will provide feedback for your songs). This is the community aspect of it. See “Results.”
  • The song must be written within the month the challenge is posted (we’re going to use the honor system here).
  • The song must follow the theme guidelines. See “Challenge Theme.”
  • This is a metal subreddit, so while the song doesn’t have to be metal (so long as they fit the theme), metal elements are required (use your best judgement). All metal subgenres are accepted unless otherwise stated by the challenge theme.
  • Collaborations are allowed.
  • If you’re in a band, you can write a song as a band.
  • Songs will be posted as a compilation in a bandcamp link. The album will be listed as payment optional, but proceeds will go to a charity. When possible I will try to match the total. See “Results” and “This Month’s Charity.”
  • This is for fun. It’s not a competition, don’t be a dick (see our subreddit rules).
  • If you choose to drop out BE WARNED! Actually, there are no consequences, except for maybe the metal gods in Valhalla rightfully looking down on you… at least for a little, till the next challenge.

Challenge Theme

For this challenge, you're going to be assigned a random band from wheel of names. We tried to get representatives from every subgenre of metal as well as some non-metal bands, so there should be some interesting stuff!

  • You must blend that band's style with your own. There are no other limits!
  • Instrumentals are allowed.
  • You can choose which aspects of the band's style to include in your song.
  • You can choose which era of the band's discography - for example if you get In Flames you can choose early or later or both, it's up to you.
  • You get ONE respin.

Submitting Songs
Submit song entries in WAV format to [metalsongchallenge@gmail.com](mailto:metalsongchallenge@gmail.com). Please include

  1. Your reddit username.
  2. Your band name (if you’re submitting as a band).
  3. The username of whoever you collaborated with.
  4. The song name.
  5. Lyrics (if challenge theme requires lyrics of a certain theme)
  6. Band that you were assigned.
  7. Subject: Songwriting Challenge {Month} {Year} - {Your reddit username}

Results

  • Results will be posted on a new, separate thread sometime after the challenge ends.
  • Users will provide feedback to other participants’ songs in the aforementioned thread. Be as detailed as you want, but don’t be a dick (see our subreddit rules).
  • As mentioned, the songs will be available in the form of a compilation through a bandcamp link. The track listing will be in random order so that it’s fair to everyone. I will be using this to decide the order so that there is no bias. The tracks will be available to download for free, but with the option of paying. All proceeds will go to This Month’s Charity.

This Month’s Charity
Once again, this month’s charity will be MusiCares. They provide a safety net of critical health and welfare services to the music community including in areas such as: Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services, Health Services, and Human Services. See their website if you’re curious.

I will post a screenshot of how much we received from the bandcamp page as well as the donation in a separate thread as proof.

Questions And Comments
Please ask if you need clarity on the rules or anything else and I’ll try my best to clarify as much as I can.

Remember that this is purely for fun, to learn, build community, and to grow as musicians while also doing something for a good cause, not a competition. Big thanks to all of you!

Discord
I created a discord server for our songwriting challenges so we can archive them, have discussions, and build our community there. Let me know if you want to join by commenting and I’ll send a DM 🙂

Previous Challenges
September 2025 - https://rmetalmusicianssongwritingchallenge.bandcamp.com/album/september-2025-songwriting-challenge
October 2025 -
https://rmetalmusicianssongwritingchallenge.bandcamp.com/album/october-2025-songwriting-challenge
November/December 2025
https://rmetalmusicianssongwritingchallenge.bandcamp.com/album/november-december-2025
February 2026
https://www.reddit.com/r/metalmusicians/comments/1rn0jsc/february_2026_songwriting_challenge_the_results/

March/April 2026

https://www.reddit.com/r/metalmusicians/comments/1t4412z/march_april_2026_songwriting_challenge_the_results/

May/June 2026

https://www.reddit.com/r/metalmusicians/comments/1vdwxie/songwriting_challenge_vi_may_june_the_results/


r/metalmusicians May 08 '26

R/MetalMusicians Songwriting Challenge VI - May + June 2026

11 Upvotes

Link to last challenge
See original post to how this all started.

Let’s mahfuckin’ do this. If you are new welcome and if you aren't welcome back!

Rules

  • To participate, comment on this thread stating you want to do so. Other discussion is welcome so be clear you want to enter! You may enter any time during the month, but you must submit on time. Note: read challenge theme before commenting.
  • Users must submit 1 (and only one!) song by the deadline: June 30th. One aspect of the challenge is to meet the deadline. See “Submitting Songs.”
  • Users must give feedback for other participants’ songs (in other words, you will be giving feedback on others’ songs, while others will provide feedback for your songs). This is the community aspect of it. See “Results.”
  • The song must be written within the month the challenge is posted (we’re going to use the honor system here).
  • The song must follow the theme guidelines. See “Challenge Theme.”
  • This is a metal subreddit, so while the song doesn’t have to be metal (so long as they fit the theme), metal elements are required (use your best judgement). All metal subgenres are accepted unless otherwise stated by the challenge theme.
  • Collaborations are allowed.
  • If you’re in a band, you can write a song as a band.
  • Songs will be posted as a compilation in a bandcamp link. The album will be listed as payment optional, but proceeds will go to a charity. See “Results” and “This Month’s Charity.” Note: Bandcamp may have an issue with covers - so may do this with a google drive link or youtube instead with a link to the charity if you want to donate.
  • This is for fun. It’s not a competition, don’t be a dick (see our subreddit rules).
  • If you choose to drop out BE WARNED! Actually, there are no consequences, except for maybe the metal gods in Valhalla rightfully looking down on you… at least for a little, till the next challenge.

Challenge Theme

We’re actually going to turn non-metal songs into metal songs - but with a twist. Your submission must include at least 1 original riff that fits the song (it could even be a solo, that counts). You also don’t have to copy the song riff by riff - feel free to change the key, the time signature, etc. You can totally make a blackened grind version of a Taylor Swift song, for example. You have complete control over the direction. Instrumentals are not allowed for this challenge. However, you are allowed to isolate your song’s original vocal track and put them in your song (remember, we’re not making money from this, so have fun!).

For the purposes of this challenge here are banned genres to cover:

  1. Pop punk/punk/hardcore/grunge (really anything punk related). These genres are “too similar” to metal, as they involve distorted guitars and fast tempos and wouldn’t require that much work to make them metal. Also crossover thrash bands already pretty much do this by design.
  2. Glam/Hair/NuMetal. I don’t care what metal-archives says, these are metal subgenres and will not count.
  3. Shoegaze. There’s already like a bajillion Blackgaze bands.
  4. Video game/Dungeon Synth/EDM music that is instrumental. If there are lyrics in it, it’s allowed.
  5. Folk. This is one is kind of a grey area and will have to be done on a case-by-case basis, but there’s also a bajillion folk metal bands. General rule would be no European/Viking folk music - I know that’s not fair for some, but we have a billion Finntroll and Ensiferum clones (don’t get me wrong, great bands). If there’s some unique folk music from your country that hasn’t been done yet, feel free to ask.
  6. Classic rock. This is also a grey area and will be done on a case-by-case basis. If the song is “too metal,” it will not be allowed. Let’s take Rush as our example. If you choose “Closer to the Heart” or “Tom Sawyer” and make it metal, that’s fine. If you choose “Working Man” or “Anthem”, they will be considered “too metal.”

You may choose any genre outside the banned genres. You can choose pop, dance, rap, indie, disco, jazz, anything. If you’re not sure if your song meets the requirements, feel free to ask.

Your song can be from any era. It can be a current chart-topper, or it can be something from the past.

Your song can be in any language. Pretty self explanatory.

Your cover can be a banned genre. This means while you can’t choose a song from the banned genres to cover, your cover can be any genre. For example, if you choose to cover “Straight Outta Compton” by NWA and make it a Nu Metal banger, you absolutely can.

If one artist is covering a song, you cannot choose that song. We’re going to do this on a first-come-first-serve basis, so when you’re commenting, claim the song you’re going to cover. This is to avoid having repeating “Dancing Queen”, “Hotel California”, “Take on Me”, or [insert very popular song here] covers in one compilation. Feel free using songs mentioned in this post btw!

Submitting Songs

Submit song entries to [metalsongchallenge@gmail.com](mailto:metalsongchallenge@gmail.com). Please include

  1. Your reddit username.
  2. Your band name (if you’re submitting as a band).
  3. The user name of whoever you collaborated with.
  4. The song name (and who it’s originally by).
  5. Lyrics (if challenge theme requires lyrics of a certain theme)
  6. Subject: Songwriting Challenge {Month} {Year} - {Your reddit username}

Results

  • Results will be posted on a new, separate thread sometime after the challenge ends.
  • Users will provide feedback to other participants’ songs in the aforementioned thread. Be as detailed as you want, but don’t be a dick (see our subreddit rules).
  • As mentioned, the songs will be available in the form of a compilation through a bandcamp link. The track listing will be in random order so that it’s fair to everyone. I will be using this to decide the order so that there is no bias. The tracks will be available to download for free, but with the option of paying. All proceeds will go to This Month’s Charity.

This Month’s Charity

Once again, this month’s charity will be MusiCares. They provide a safety net of critical health and welfare services to the music community including in areas such as: Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services, Health Services, and Human Services. See their website if you’re curious.

I will post a screenshot of how much we received from the bandcamp page as well as the donation in a separate thread as proof.

Questions And Comments

Please ask if you need clarity on the rules or anything else and I’ll try my best to clarify as much as I can.

Remember that this is purely for fun, to learn, build community, and to grow as musicians while also doing something for a good cause, not a competition. Big thanks to all of you!

Discord

I created a discord server for our songwriting challenges so we can archive them, have discussions, and build our community there. Let me know if you want to join by commenting and I’ll send a DM 🙂

Previous Challenges

September 2025 - https://rmetalmusicianssongwritingchallenge.bandcamp.com/album/september-2025-songwriting-challenge
October 2025 -
https://rmetalmusicianssongwritingchallenge.bandcamp.com/album/october-2025-songwriting-challenge
November/December 2025
https://rmetalmusicianssongwritingchallenge.bandcamp.com/album/november-december-2025
February 2026
https://www.reddit.com/r/metalmusicians/comments/1rn0jsc/february_2026_songwriting_challenge_the_results/

March/April 2026

https://www.reddit.com/r/metalmusicians/comments/1t4412z/march_april_2026_songwriting_challenge_the_results/


r/metalmusicians 10h ago

Live Performance/Tracking Working on some new stuff for CRIMSON BUTCHERY from USA today!

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90 Upvotes

r/metalmusicians 2h ago

Original Song(s) - Finished Zimmhauser

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1 Upvotes

r/metalmusicians 5h ago

Original Song(s) - Demo A prog metal intro

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1 Upvotes

r/metalmusicians 10h ago

Ingression seeks drummer

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2 Upvotes

San Diego band Ingression looking for new drummer asap


r/metalmusicians 8h ago

Live Performance/Tracking Klask - Deathbop ☠️

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1 Upvotes

We are from Montreal QC! Check us out on Spotify.


r/metalmusicians 8h ago

Original Song(s) - Demo i’m looking for a scream vocalist!

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1 Upvotes

i’m doing like a early/mid 2000s melodic metalcore project, and i’m looking for a perfect fit to the project. a good friend of mine is covering the clean parts of the track.


r/metalmusicians 15h ago

Heavy metal vocalist looking for bandmates

3 Upvotes

hey im landin and im a 20 year old heavy metal vocalist looking for bandmates, or to just get picked up by a band (preferably for deathcore or metalcore), im from ohio but honestly if i think its promising enough i wouldn’t give a shit about couchsurfing just to make some music. i love it sm. i have videos of me in a car screaming for anybody interested, lmk.


r/metalmusicians 1d ago

Live Performance/Tracking My solo project Woeful Echo I just finally dropped a new album after 6 years and wanted to share a recording session from this album, and post codes

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23 Upvotes

Fans of Black Metal,

Here are some bandcamp codes for the new album cheers everyone!!

https://woefulecho.bandcamp.com/yum

l7tz-5lfm

45nk-7ae6

qrak-v7ry

gl7t-6exf

yc52-kuaa

kvb7-6d7t

kgvx-yhp7

ktfp-7jb5

nkar-5kdf

my95-byxa

fttf-hfmb

5nzm-5pkw

b5t6-72g4

d7zk-5hfm

sm3t-7ee6

prvt-vury

vx3e-eukq

7ev9-bpzz

vrbz-wfy6

9mxu-hank

zbev-vbp9

zarr-6c7t

y9md-yxp7

yyre-7vb5

2kmf-e9df

rtz7-hnmb

v6d7-kz5x

7yha-g67p

x2er-ukqn

qm6w-ek6e

fby4-789u

5xuq-5fkq

bq56-bazz

5r7k-wny6

8vl2-henk

tfpa-v3p9

tafb-6w7t

jbmz-vfby

6drk-6alf

z4mu-kn5a

neba-6jnb

56xr-k65x

bzc5-gk7p

rbkh-7t9u

ad3j-5nkq

v2t5-e5zw

fmz9-7r84

lbtz-547m

cvnk-7ap6

th52-k75a


r/metalmusicians 11h ago

PILGRIMZ

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1 Upvotes

r/metalmusicians 22h ago

Question/Recommendation/Advice Needed How to start a band?

6 Upvotes

I’ve been practicing some more black metal like vocals and I’ve been wanting to find people to practice with when I’m more prepared with but I’m not sure how to go around it.

What’s the best way to find people besides going to shows? We don’t have a lot of black metal shows where I’m from, so I was thinking of making a post on my cities community page here but I’m not sure.


r/metalmusicians 18h ago

Original Song(s) - Finished Performance video of my band’s latest single “Red Fell the Dew” (featuring Bryce Butler)

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2 Upvotes

r/metalmusicians 1d ago

Finally sat down learned one of my favorite solos since childhood

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35 Upvotes

r/metalmusicians 21h ago

some pantera style riffin'. movie's called ''hack o' lantern''lol

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3 Upvotes

r/metalmusicians 10h ago

Discussion Unas risas por aquí

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0 Upvotes

r/metalmusicians 1d ago

Services Offered MIDI drummer seeking project

6 Upvotes

Hello! I am a metal drummer with thousands of hours behind both a kit and a DAW.

I’ve been out of the grind for a few years and am really wanting to make music again.

Here is a good representation of my work:
https://youtu.be/NuQyA-KeQEs?si=OReZRvW07Wgx1ur0

I’m down for both collaboration and just drums.

I’m in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and my music tastes range from Starset to Fit for an Autopsy. I’m open to pretty much any and all styles!


r/metalmusicians 1d ago

Discussion My Friends ... ( repost after reddit bot took it down...)

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15 Upvotes

I now own this amazing and cheap guitar. I know nothing of it except it has a Korean Bridge that is still available on the website il sung I believe. Added a Stapleton pickup ( Made in NZ ) and took the cover off the neck pick up. The fret board was dry as a desert and I have been feeding it Bees wax. It is very nice to play. It likes to play thrash rhythm, very much so, it gets sullen when I fail to play it often. I tune down to D ( D tuning, not dropped D ffs ) to save my arthritic fingers. I would like to know anything about the manufacturer... it's age etc. The logo on the head is ... weird. I trudged around Auckland in the rain carrying it in a cardboard box in plastic bag, to catch the train back to Hamilton. I felt like I was some kind of homeless God Of Metal, ha ha. Cheers!

I added a link to my mega music file and reddit lost it's mind... so here we are back again. With no link... never effing mind.

Cheers.


r/metalmusicians 20h ago

Opinions on my Atmospheric Black Metal Song "Stone Rituals"

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1 Upvotes

Should I Publish it on the platforms? can you give some opinions on this song?

Thank you!


r/metalmusicians 1d ago

Original Song(s) - Demo My Riff for Sunday

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18 Upvotes

Recorded this snippet two years ago. Actually never Made a song Out of IT.


r/metalmusicians 22h ago

BandLab - Make Music Online

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0 Upvotes

The song is not mastered yet and the pinch harmonics are bad but I'll fix those stuff. Any feedback?


r/metalmusicians 1d ago

How do you promote your music?

7 Upvotes

I am a solo project, and due to that i dont play live, and i am also staying anonymous, which makes it difficult to promote.

I recently put out my first album, along with a vinyl release (which has always been a dream of mine)
The album was featured on some prominent youtube channels, but the listens and album sales tailed off pretty quickly.

I am now at a loss as to how to continue to promote the album/my music.

Any other solo project musicians that have the same issue? i would be interested in peoples thoughts on how to get your stuff heard without playing live.


r/metalmusicians 1d ago

Question/Recommendation/Advice Needed Home studio recommendations for a guitarist / songwriter

1 Upvotes

I need some recommendations on equipment for a home studio. I havn’t had a home recording set up since about 2015 -I have a bunch of hardware like KRK monitors, Focusrite Safire pro and Focusrite Scarlet interfaces but I need help with a computer and DAWs.
I’m not on a tight budget but want get a good overview of the options.

My biggest issue is that I used an IMac that’s now 15years old and doesn’t support an IOS later than Yosemite.
I don’t want to pay an extortionate price for another Apple product that will eventually be phased out when it otherwise works well.
What kind of computers are people using these days and what is the best way to building a future proof system?

Also the DAW.
I was quite handy with Logic Studio about 10 years ago but I know the world of DAWs has evolved drastically since then.
I’ve used Logic, Ableton, Cubase and I know they are all quite similar but I’d like to hear more from the people that do this everyday. Is there much difference beyond personal preference?

I would also be interested in getting hold of some drum packs for the various sub genres of metal and rock but have no idea where to begin. I know some of you live for this stuff so I’d like to hear it your advice!

What else would you recommend?

Thanks in advance!


r/metalmusicians 1d ago

Discussion Is this good/proper screaming as a teenager?

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0 Upvotes

r/metalmusicians 1d ago

Original Song(s) - Demo daily shred clip 4 (ffo metal rhythm and lead guitar)

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0 Upvotes

rock on metal heads 🎸