There is not just one massive studio that is used to record the bulk of famous heavy metal albums. Instead, a large number of independent recording studios have appeared over the years. These are small compared to mainstream studios, but many of them have attained a good level of fame and reverence. There are several reasons why indie recording studios are favoured over larger ones.
Availability of Technology
In the past, it would have been impossible for metal artists to make albums independently. This was due to how expensive the equipment would have been. Luckily, in recent years, professional standard music gear has become very affordable. Rather than make a deal with a big studio company, it is sometimes more cost-effective to buy the equipment.
Broadness of the Genre
Heavy metal is one of the most versatile music genres out there. It encompasses many different sub-genres, including death, black, gothic, symphonic and electronic metal. This means there is an extensive range of artists who work in this genre. There are too many metal bands for one large studio to handle.
Entrepreneurial Spirit of Metal Artists
People who want to embark on a career in music need to be business-minded. It is easy to be manipulated or even scammed by studio companies. Bands have become more aware of this fact and have minimized their risks by becoming more entrepreneurial. They sometimes set up their own recording businesses rather than go to an outside entity.
Isolation of Local Bands
There are metal artists all over the world. Not every country will have a studio that releases albums in this genre. Geographical isolation can force bands to become more independent and record music themselves. These types of groups usually release their work onto the internet rather than through hardcopy formats such as CDs.