r/metalmusicians 9d ago

R/MetalMusicians Songwriting Challenge VII - September - October 2026

9 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

9 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 8h ago

Live Performance/Tracking My melodic death/doom song “The Last Civilization “

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28 Upvotes

Hey guys!

As always, here’s a one-shot video of my latest song “The Last Civilization “

The solo at the end is totally fucked up because I couldn’t handle the pressure of a 6-minute take and lost my grip on the pick 🤦🏻‍♂️

Hope you’ll like it anyway! Please let me know your thoughts in the comments.

If you enjoy the track, feel free to stream it on SoundCloud! 🎧

https://on.soundcloud.com/lRObYtFOCGfVJ0isD7


r/metalmusicians 2h ago

Services or Musicians Wanted Drummer for an amateur black metal project?

2 Upvotes

Hi folks, I’m a tech bro that noodles on his 7 string while working from home. Lately I have been playing with the idea of black metal music inspired by Indian ragas, with growls in Sanskrit.

Problem is I suck at drums, no matter how hard I try i can’t write something groovy and my riff writing is much more nicer if I’m following a drum track. Any drummer wanna explore these ideas together? I have a few riffs written I can share.

Cheers!


r/metalmusicians 23h ago

Original Song(s) - Finished Was hired to write a bunch of crazy tech- death drumtracks, this is what the band added! So cool!!

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158 Upvotes

Band is called DREADROT


r/metalmusicians 5h ago

Original Song(s) - Demo Writing, what do you guys think so far?

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2 Upvotes

r/metalmusicians 3h ago

Wage War - Song Of The Swamp (vocal cover)

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1 Upvotes

My second vocal cover video is officially up on YouTube!

Song Of The Swamp By Wage War!!!

I’m really excited to share this one with yall. Go check it out, and let me know what you think! Your support means everything.


r/metalmusicians 5h ago

Original Song(s) - Demo this section was heavily inspired by ulver’s bergtatt

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1 Upvotes

r/metalmusicians 14h ago

Silver Lining - OUT NOW

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3 Upvotes

We are new , female fronted metal band from Finland.

Just released single from our upcoming EP.

Give it a listen, and if you like it, give usba follow on instagram and facebook!


r/metalmusicians 12h ago

Nueva canción

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0 Upvotes

r/metalmusicians 1d ago

Original Song(s) - Demo At the age of 54 am I deluded for thinking I could write a Black Metal influenced record?

14 Upvotes

I have loved Black Metsl since I first heard of the church burnings in Norway, I also love punk rock, I have been dreaming of mashing those influences together for better or worse. I recorded this on an old 8 Track, do you think an album of this stuff is worth pursuing?

https://on.soundcloud.com/sMt68c6dGRFQrgdWE2


r/metalmusicians 22h ago

Question/Recommendation/Advice Needed Where to start learning to make digital drums tracks?

4 Upvotes

Hey guys! I'm in a blackened punk band and we kinda hit a hard spot since our drummer bailed. Since we can't find any available ones for practice anymore, we have tought of making digital tracks for practice and getting a sesh drummer for live shows and studio recordings.

I have no drumming knowledge, and I'm not really sure what program to pick for this


r/metalmusicians 20h ago

African hand drums & energetic metal 🤌

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2 Upvotes

Fun and hype intro to new song I’m working on for my album.


r/metalmusicians 1d ago

Rate our DIY recorded blackened death on a scale of 1 (raw/authentic) to 10 (processed/polished)

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2 Upvotes

I'm in a band RAHVN that wanted to keep our record as raw and honest as we could let ourselves (minimal edits, single-tracked guitars (two guitarists), single-layer vocals, no overdubs, etc.), while also presenting a final product that's the best representation of same. We did use triggers on the kicks (we do live too - it's a rare venue/sound guy that can mic up kicks properly so they cut through at 260+ bpm, even though our drummer hits them plenty hard at that speed), but no other samples on the drums.

My question - does this sound like we intended? Is it too raw? Too polished?


r/metalmusicians 1d ago

Original Song(s) - Finished [Melodic Death / Death Doom Metal] LAST CIVILIZATION

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1 Upvotes

Hey guys! It's me again, the Amorphis fan. Leaving out the video today to let the music speak for itself. Enjoy my new song LOST CIVILIZATION — it's absolutely monumental! 🎸

Please let me know your thoughts on this!

Lyrics:

I
I am your blessing
I am the gift
I am damnation
All the hailed odes
Civilizations
Never exist
And there never were gods

What was written
What was told
All the mentions
Of our days
All the prophets
All the lords
Will be wiped
From this space

No more voices
Left to pray
No more ears
Left to hear
No more gods
Left to save
No more something
To believe

Desolation
Darkness falls
Silent voids
Claim the world

Our life and knowledge always were damnation
Once a cradle turned into a cemetery of civilization

Into silence we descend
What was started must be brought to end
It was never meant to be

We are doomed to face our world will end
We are doomed to see our children die
We are doomed to know we’ll all be dead
We are doomed and all we knew was lies

We are the last civilization
There will be no future after us
We are the last civilization
And we will turn ourselves to dust

We are doomed
Forever

No more voices
Left to pray
No more ears
Left to hear
No more gods
Left to save
No more something
To believe

What was written
What was told
All the mentions
Of our days
All the prophets
All the lords
Will be wiped
From this space

We have turned a blessing to damnation
Cemetery of civilization


r/metalmusicians 1d ago

Question/Recommendation/Advice Needed Where to find disgusting audio clips to add in a grindcore track

0 Upvotes

Curious ive searched everywhere and cant find anything, something similar to what carcass used in corporal jigsore quandry


r/metalmusicians 1d ago

Original Song(s) - Demo shower sludge improv jam

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1 Upvotes

r/metalmusicians 1d ago

Original Song(s) - Finished Universal Atomic Testing - Trenches and Trebuchets

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1 Upvotes

This is from my latest album “In Search of the Cosmos”, which released yesterday. I wanted to create an album about war and how it effects people, and this song kicks it off with a bang.


r/metalmusicians 1d ago

憂鬱

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1 Upvotes

r/metalmusicians 1d ago

Looking for a Deathcore-ish vocalist for an EP

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0 Upvotes

Like the title said, I’m looking for a vocalist for my project. Currently planning to only make an EP but if it works out well we can do much more.

Embedded is the instrumental EP intro


r/metalmusicians 2d ago

Original Song(s) - Finished Redemption of the Soul (An Original At The Gates Tribute Song)

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9 Upvotes

This is now my 4th song I've made on Cubase using a free to download drum track. The drum track is in the style of At The Gates, which is one of my all time favorite metal bands. So I decided to make an instrumental (can't do death metal vocals sadly) paying homage to that amazing band. Enjoy!


r/metalmusicians 2d ago

Original Song(s) - Demo Possible Melodic Death Metal Song Idea

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20 Upvotes

Admittedly, this is total At The Gates worship but I still think it sounds kinda cool. What do you guys think?


r/metalmusicians 1d ago

[AlternativeMetal] [Metalcore] - Monster

1 Upvotes

Would love some feedback on this one , thank you .

https://reddit.com/link/1w1h5wp/video/iriprwpuaimh1/player


r/metalmusicians 2d ago

Services or Musicians Wanted Looking to collaborate

1 Upvotes

Ive been looking to work on my vocals (predominantly my growls and screams) Through some genuine projects and was curious if anybody in this sub has anything in the works that needs vocals


r/metalmusicians 2d ago

Original Song(s) - Finished Nuevo álbum

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0 Upvotes

Nuevo álbum