This might have been the greatest year for heavy metal live shows in a generation. In July, Ozzy Osbourne’s retirement gig brought the entire genre together for one stadium-filling moment of reverence, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. From Iron Maiden to Ice Nine Kills, multiple bands have graduated to their biggest leagues yet, while the underground is full-to-bursting with promising talent. And, the momentum already seems set to continue in 2026.