Biker metal (also known as biker punk)[1] is a fusion genre that combines elements of punk rock, heavy metal, rock and roll and blues, that was pioneered in the late-1970s to early-1980s in England and the United States, by Motörhead, Plasmatics, Anti-Nowhere League and Girlschool.

[6] The genre has been contrasted with slower and more operatic forms of metal, such as Judas Priest's work in the early 2000s.

[8] Bands such as Black Moth, Orange Goblin, The Obsessed, Earthride and Black Label Society have been described as fusing the style with doom metal,[9][10][11][12][13] whereas Clutch have been described as merging elements of biker metal and Southern rock into their stoner rock sound.

[21] Spin hails Motörhead frontman Lemmy as the first to bring motorcycle culture into punk rock and heavy metal, likely through the influence of earlier rock bands such as Steppenwolf, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Grateful Dead.

[20] An early use of the term "heavy metal" was even present in Steppenwolf's 1968 song "Born to Be Wild", in reference to a motorcycle.