Secret Superheroes celebrates people who’ve overcome adversity, made amazing contributions to society, and inspired others to do the same. Each week we highlight exceptional people in different fields. This week we focus on metal!
Ozzy Osbourne
He helped to forge the sound of metal as Black Sabbath’s frontman, and has continued to shape the course of the genre throughout an amazing career spanning half a century. Sadly Ozzy has now finally announced his retirement from touring, and while this self-styled Prince of Darkness continues to inspire legions of fans, he’s now able to focus his attention on his darkest secret: his work away from the spotlight, helping children’s charities and fighting climate change!
When a group of Japanese schoolgirls burst on to the metal scene in 2015 with the sugar-rush riffs of their breakout single, Gimme Chocolate!!, they were showered with racist and sexist abuse by fans of more traditional metal outfits. They’re now one of the most loved bands on the circuit, and have revitalized a scene that was in grave danger of becoming stale and predictable.
When the multi-instrumentalist Nine Inch Nails frontman was helping to shape the sound of industrial metal in the late ‘80s, it was obvious that he was versatile, but nobody predicted his next move. He’s gone on to become one of the most in-demand composers in Hollywood with two Best Original Score Academy Awards to his name, but Oscar success has not diminished his distinctly metal approach to social activism.
