Music Metrics Vault

Metal

Most popular artists in Metal

This chart is based on the monthly listeners metric for all artists tagged with the genre metal by Spotify. It may contain some errors or some data may not be up to date. You can check the artist profile to update data if necessary.

# Artist Monthly Listeners Followers
1
29,517,054
30,999,955
2
24,895,132
13,131,469
3
19,224,565
7,445,807
4
15,594,608
8,939,441
5
14,417,516
13,396,898
6
12,984,015
11,395,791
7
12,049,197
9,137,015
8
10,948,840
11,095,741
9
9,751,323
6,400,048
10
8,514,220
3,625,955
11
8,371,692
10,059,238
12
7,693,537
5,920,219
13
7,055,060
6,800,404
14
6,986,109
4,821,708
15
6,246,111
3,479,930
16
5,810,061
2,691,235
17
5,344,906
2,336,398
18
4,977,432
3,569,396
19
4,821,721
5,941,608
20
4,804,841
4,294,544
21
4,661,861
4,400,829
22
4,538,662
846,407
23
4,448,782
4,358,507
24
4,400,481
3,402,572
25
3,892,153
1,910,860
26
3,795,128
2,104,477
27
3,715,893
2,537,050
28
3,666,604
1,020,568
29
3,531,962
2,365,053
30
3,429,878
4,336,792
31
3,015,999
916,499
32
2,961,948
2,881,763
33
2,950,671
1,173,561
34
2,931,657
2,381,966
35
2,690,619
2,376,735
36
2,507,048
1,411,225
37
2,374,819
1,385,499
38
2,325,876
1,614,751
39
Black Label Society
2,314,699
1,751,302
40
2,178,782
1,229,991
41
2,168,489
1,698,824
42
2,114,697
2,052,620
43
2,040,436
1,113,160
44
1,956,660
2,245,354
45
1,929,724
1,208,384
46
Slaughter to Prevail
1,890,477
923,462
47
1,821,767
1,271,710
48
1,785,231
1,572,413
49
1,762,781
1,354,986
50
1,750,597
2,241,914
51
1,634,783
1,673,758
52
1,621,156
1,732,326
53
1,516,408
1,430,776
54
1,515,158
1,396,566
55
1,460,204
589,677
56
1,454,368
854,231
57
1,371,037
1,022,005
58
Helloween
1,357,598
1,348,851
59
1,301,592
362,601
60
Lorna Shore
1,282,274
813,379
61
Mastodon
1,168,017
1,003,541
62
1,163,251
611,211
63
1,153,799
703,419
64
Polaris
1,153,624
375,761
65
1,125,934
1,821,190
66
Accept
1,082,205
1,023,058
67
Currents
1,053,687
300,156
68
Queensrÿche
1,048,537
717,294
69
LANDMVRKS
1,029,659
290,925
70
1,003,735
1,192,451
71
998,393
1,214,047
72
HammerFall
986,019
684,160
73
Manowar
976,220
1,073,743
74
Arch Enemy
968,794
1,105,368
75
Kublai Khan TX
952,551
362,735
76
Fit For A King
951,042
456,833
77
Paleface Swiss
942,432
263,335
78
Imminence
915,310
344,325
79
Alestorm
909,278
702,627
80
The Ghost Inside
907,227
385,473
81
Lacuna Coil
880,802
758,581
82
Hatebreed
867,745
691,596
83
While She Sleeps
866,996
496,063
84
As I Lay Dying
866,272
1,085,843
85
Brothers of Metal
851,696
287,129
86
Opeth
850,539
1,078,899
87
Eluveitie
834,965
605,443
88
Death
830,863
1,032,925
89
Wind Rose
829,027
436,494
90
W.A.S.P.
816,497
1,025,044
91
Jinjer
779,933
768,854
92
Make Them Suffer
777,070
332,893
93
Epica
771,038
954,651
94
Avatar
762,871
459,283
95
Stratovarius
757,674
719,801
96
754,031
583,685
97
Fear Factory
753,150
723,749
98
Children Of Bodom
750,693
790,557
99
ERRA
739,525
301,767
100
Battle Beast
720,516
280,542
101
Bury Tomorrow
713,390
330,578
102
Bloodywood
702,947
352,282
103
Blind Guardian
685,722
764,923
104
Dynazty
678,445
116,540
105
HELLYEAH
670,790
751,446
106
August Burns Red
654,499
755,404
107
Cannibal Corpse
645,954
1,189,798
108
Lordi
644,944
278,269
109
Avantasia
641,505
487,737
110
Meshuggah
626,366
797,334
111
Whitechapel
623,737
625,439
112
Nik Nocturnal
612,904
133,847
113
Orbit Culture
597,478
210,782
114
Suicide Silence
590,848
903,703
115
Metalocalypse: Dethklok
587,106
452,779
116
Cradle Of Filth
585,222
615,752
117
Attila
582,378
513,604
118
Soulfly
580,038
775,635
119
Leo
574,053
414,695
120
Gloryhammer
552,733
272,512
121
Heaven Shall Burn
552,088
287,618
122
Brand of Sacrifice
549,811
212,617
123
Bleed From Within
544,711
241,859
124
PAIN
543,476
228,796
125
Behemoth
541,812
696,648
126
Emmure
539,077
372,225
127
Korpiklaani
520,689
436,329
128
Katatonia
516,069
429,395
129
Demon Hunter
511,928
323,545
130
Northlane
511,739
367,250
131
Mushroomhead
510,013
828,584
132
Kreator
500,212
832,158
133
Coal Chamber
493,545
632,828
134
Shadow of Intent
493,541
239,274
135
Annisokay
490,429
167,489
136
ANGRA
488,000
492,204
137
Miss May I
486,129
522,506
138
Ill Niño
484,878
503,097
139
NOVELISTS
480,727
129,115
140
Saxon
471,883
641,936
141
Soil
464,335
361,052
142
Light The Torch
463,742
209,814
143
Exodus
462,741
832,279
144
Silent Planet
454,283
213,672
145
Thy Art Is Murder
449,915
508,855
146
Soilwork
445,226
341,010
147
Sonata Arctica
433,270
651,105
148
After The Burial
420,941
325,267
149
Chelsea Grin
415,774
542,599
150
Dimmu Borgir
405,545
567,459
151
Municipal Waste
389,173
333,111
152
Equilibrium
385,380
197,075
153
Rhapsody
380,390
513,586
154
Fit For An Autopsy
371,372
247,727
155
Periphery
369,344
529,653
156
DevilDriver
365,246
522,241
157
Beyond The Black
361,943
168,275
158
Upon A Burning Body
358,966
268,523
159
Volumes
356,201
197,204
160
Born Of Osiris
355,653
355,481
161
Carcass
348,991
445,573
162
Obituary
344,478
556,043
163
Annihilator
340,022
419,833
164
Jorn
339,315
94,574
165
DOWN
338,267
434,117
166
Sodom
331,610
520,719
167
Paradise Lost
329,898
349,654
168
Turisas
326,920
209,044
169
The Browning
326,285
179,657
170
Amorphis
320,436
336,591
171
Orden Ogan
319,400
154,768
172
Mayhem
319,300
752,194
173
Dark Tranquillity
310,124
399,212
174
Savatage
309,333
273,834
175
Animals As Leaders
295,506
573,923
176
Invent Animate
292,526
173,151
177
Kamelot
290,137
404,882
178
Soen
288,907
298,488
179
Rivers of Nihil
278,107
140,221
180
Edguy
277,528
302,437
181
Therion
277,173
351,444
182
Delain
264,338
293,526
183
Bloodbound
260,191
121,388
184
Veil Of Maya
257,493
307,424
185
Iced Earth
255,321
380,131
186
Burzum
254,029
501,408
187
The Halo Effect
243,681
111,733
188
Decapitated
240,637
263,874
189
Rhapsody Of Fire
239,170
368,918
190
Crystal Lake
235,190
217,488
191
Kataklysm
233,945
194,033
192
At The Gates
229,905
264,908
193
Any Given Day
225,328
129,889
194
Prong
224,953
190,207
195
The Haunted
224,008
154,787
196
Caliban
223,031
201,900
197
Damageplan
222,750
260,191
198
Butcher Babies
222,257
204,984
199
Dying Fetus
222,012
374,900
200
The Black Dahlia Murder
221,457
371,208
201
Otep
221,291
428,607
202
Candlemass
220,590
281,310
203
Morbid Angel
220,245
489,329
204
Rhapsody Of Fire
218,138
51,894
205
Unleash The Archers
217,368
201,375
206
Angelmaker
216,940
193,857
207
Bathory
214,777
466,654
208
Sirenia
214,369
242,751
209
Ensiferum
211,649
336,407
210
Alien Weaponry
211,292
184,309
211
Dream Evil
211,013
156,312
212
Leprous
202,619
279,372
213
King Diamond
202,118
517,455
214
We Butter The Bread With Butter
202,099
185,798
215
Haggard
201,917
208,130
216
Deicide
200,565
440,964
217
Death Angel
198,263
395,388
218
Power Trip
197,955
200,895
219
Sylosis
197,920
160,469
220
Breakdown of Sanity
194,875
139,315
221
Dissection
194,619
243,696
222
Mystic Prophecy
193,528
62,522
223
Overkill
192,616
600,892
224
Vended
192,309
220,114
225
Napalm Death
191,457
409,931
226
Entombed
191,367
269,562
227
Lost Society
189,502
96,462
228
Cattle Decapitation
188,682
267,643
229
Elvenking
188,492
122,518
230
Visions of Atlantis
183,741
146,202
231
Masterplan
183,181
117,702
232
Metal Church
181,652
234,215
233
The Acacia Strain
180,447
211,509
234
Satyricon
180,040
320,975
235
Venom
178,047
573,605
236
Immortal
177,673
404,706
237
Darkest Hour
177,573
183,485
238
Vader
177,289
258,144
239
Carnifex
176,573
266,328
240
Insomnium
175,506
280,278
241
Symphony X
175,398
289,888
242
U.D.O.
170,480
224,536
243
Týr
169,672
235,945
244
36 Crazyfists
168,034
168,447
245
Bolt Thrower
166,717
247,016
246
Darkthrone
165,613
475,070
247
Nekrogoblikon
164,220
153,774
248
Anvil
160,859
138,228
249
Gwar
160,686
251,357
250
Moonspell
157,655
263,346
251
Rotting Christ
156,527
275,079
252
All Shall Perish
155,856
197,701
253
Warkings
155,310
50,143
254
Wintersun
154,316
223,916
255
Rings of Saturn
154,202
231,976
256
Xandria
153,377
225,217
257
Fleshgod Apocalypse
152,475
211,823
258
Mercyful Fate
151,537
361,556
259
The Raven Age
151,426
96,546
260
Cryptopsy
150,154
188,521
261
Suffocation
150,115
270,732
262
Infant Annihilator
149,843
300,872
263
Chimaira
149,133
319,159
264
Archspire
149,010
179,501
265
Scar Symmetry
148,643
148,937
266
Impending Doom
148,063
132,593
267
Job For A Cowboy
145,879
265,858
268
Eye of the Enemy
144,085
43,936
269
Nile
141,780
266,116
270
Evile
141,773
119,270
271
Between The Buried And Me
141,453
284,657
272
Sonic Syndicate
138,720
137,692
273
Haken
136,711
232,300
274
For Today
136,453
215,868
275
Septicflesh
135,588
193,940
276
Devin Townsend Project
133,862
248,326
277
Vildhjarta
132,625
133,180
278
Hypocrisy
131,309
206,635
279
Parasite Inc.
131,231
47,931
280
Die Apokalyptischen Reiter
130,866
76,767
281
Firewind
130,239
106,577
282
Ne Obliviscaris
129,503
155,418
283
Killer Be Killed
128,313
129,793
284
Protest The Hero
127,256
211,824
285
Gamma Ray
127,083
301,571
286
Aborted
126,632
160,773
287
Ultra Vomit
125,816
95,646
288
Bloodbath
123,497
223,249
289
Havok
122,690
194,234
290
Sentenced
119,821
114,709
291
Roadrunner United
119,570
119,316
292
Primal Fear
119,312
169,287
293
Monuments
118,054
172,780
294
Exhorder
117,768
88,664
295
Shadows Fall
116,569
244,661
296
Mors Principium Est
115,940
101,920
297
Unearth
115,567
197,639
298
Emperor
114,755
339,735
299
Deathstars
114,317
172,093
300
Strapping Young Lad
111,978
177,189
301
As Blood Runs Black
111,864
153,629
302
Betraying The Martyrs
111,559
154,690
303
After Forever
111,332
164,459
304
Celtic Frost
110,297
273,765
305
Freedom Call
109,498
133,515
306
Fallujah
109,297
91,083
307
Belphegor
107,947
221,110
308
Finntroll
106,101
222,277
309
Running Wild
105,018
186,304
310
Diamond Head
104,659
193,156
311
Cavalera Conspiracy
103,143
328,857
312
Kanonenfieber
102,880
99,778
313
Burn The Priest
101,844
97,064
314
Bleeding Through
101,572
120,579
315
Phinehas
100,700
102,290
316
Kvelertak
99,276
163,614
317
Bloodred Hourglass
99,150
42,161
318
Evergrey
98,270
119,252
319
Grave Digger
97,652
160,074
320
Destruction
95,746
297,134
321
Humanity's Last Breath
95,401
107,351
322
Eleine
94,028
76,958
323
Six Feet Under
93,376
197,268
324
S.O.D. Stormtroopers of Death
91,761
66,134
325
Enslaved
91,394
170,233
326
Within The Ruins
91,115
143,116
327
The Agonist
90,558
182,671
328
War Of Ages
90,396
94,963
329
Necrophagist
90,311
171,139
330
Crimson Glory
89,923
63,997
331
Watain
89,867
181,602
332
Harakiri for the Sky
89,519
117,700
333
Midnight
88,375
76,726
334
Warbringer
88,300
119,292
335
Myrath
87,315
114,226
336
Ingested
86,685
105,602
337
Kalmah
85,406
139,848
338
3 Inches Of Blood
85,238
71,023
339
Gorgoroth
83,700
342,344
340
Oceano
82,633
186,213
341
Mgła
82,473
164,497
342
Carpathian Forest
82,433
205,827
343
Sacred Reich
82,048
150,222
344
Persefone
81,964
77,127
345
Psycroptic
81,349
77,434
346
Enforcer
81,271
68,315
347
Benediction
80,900
96,280
348
Nevermore
79,765
141,027
349
Gama Bomb
79,397
77,727
350
Blackbraid
78,596
65,347
351
Raubtier
78,361
71,020
352
Leaves' Eyes
78,108
187,049
353
Iron Savior
77,522
89,265
354
Nuclear Assault
77,449
218,060
355
The Unguided
77,430
61,437
356
Marduk
77,323
277,652
357
Dark Funeral
76,337
280,519
358
The Ocean
74,241
146,078
359
Tankard
73,930
156,772
360
Rage
73,468
118,777
361
Riot
73,189
73,361
362
Unleashed
73,069
106,391
363
Anaal Nathrakh
72,884
119,723
364
Disarmonia Mundi
72,757
62,557
365
Demons & Wizards
72,478
131,611
366
Armored Saint
72,000
102,831
367
Toxic Holocaust
70,340
161,370
368
Be'lakor
69,739
124,162
369
Textures
69,405
76,745
370
Allegaeon
68,920
89,165
371
Austrian Death Machine
68,069
92,044
372
Before The Dawn
67,829
65,669
373
Dark Angel
67,649
170,178
374
Onslaught
66,680
98,455
375
Infected Rain
65,948
125,051
376
Civil War
64,196
44,106
377
Ihsahn
62,942
119,633
378
Falconer
62,818
80,022
379
Possessed
61,356
217,608
380
Flotsam & Jetsam
61,243
117,513
381
Mass Hysteria
61,057
75,795
382
The Faceless
60,939
146,167
383
Halford
60,914
266,174
384
Revocation
60,162
132,456
385
Mutiilation
59,509
94,395
386
Texas In July
57,881
130,107
387
Samael
56,474
142,157
388
Ektomorf
54,022
79,724
389
Winds of Plague
53,702
121,127
390
Grim Reaper
53,689
93,469
391
God Forbid
52,433
77,649
392
PATRIARKH
51,891
180,681
393
Heaven & Hell
51,809
289,186
394
Angel Witch
50,713
98,249
395
Suicidal Angels
50,456
82,504
396
Immolation
50,263
126,900
397
Benighted
50,201
83,494
398
Summoning
50,034
126,626
399
Shokran
49,489
74,176
400
Impaled Nazarene
48,225
93,627
401
Omnium Gatherum
47,429
97,095
402
Frozen Crown
46,201
62,413
403
Black Crown Initiate
46,115
56,700
404
Voivod
45,893
124,742
405
Obscura
45,521
130,762
406
Hate
44,933
47,805
407
Lich King
44,741
72,487
408
Artillery
44,628
88,358
409
Dååth
43,829
38,556
410
Asphyx
43,643
100,015
411
Carach Angren
43,578
110,941
412
Borknagar
42,713
106,902
413
Edge Of Sanity
42,044
67,769
414
Melechesh
41,931
54,960
415
Heart Of A Coward
41,766
64,675
416
Windir
40,904
104,448
417
Sargeist
40,843
68,396
418
Forbidden
40,232
102,776
419
Malevolent Creation
40,218
125,796
420
Burning Witches
40,130
60,657
421
Sarcófago
39,900
128,338
422
Tribulation
39,575
68,589
423
Nattefrost
39,403
90,659
424
Eths
38,213
74,912
425
Sybreed
37,562
42,089
426
Pyramaze
37,456
37,071
427
Archgoat
37,126
75,950
428
Bethlehem
36,930
78,811
429
Autopsy
36,773
123,406
430
Coroner
36,771
103,041
431
Nervosa
36,707
109,475
432
Heathen
36,640
85,269
433
Ex Deo
36,357
42,092
434
Sanctuary
36,318
76,867
435
Abbath
36,034
135,071
436
Orphaned Land
35,918
85,863
437
Grand Magus
35,575
54,737
438
Abigail Williams
35,115
35,043
439
Mnemic
34,983
42,084
440
Angelus Apatrida
34,688
66,094
441
Wolfheart
34,642
64,502
442
Brainstorm
34,091
30,549
443
Debauchery
33,848
33,867
444
Primordial
33,797
85,627
445
Beyond Creation
33,753
101,195
446
Vektor
33,508
81,816
447
Goatwhore
33,073
89,021
448
Norther
32,046
80,094
449
Misery Index
31,855
71,101
450
Taake
31,824
144,449
451
Illdisposed
31,670
30,018
452
Skeletonwitch
31,406
90,141
453
Sigh
30,819
56,236
454
Behexen
30,657
70,123
455
1349
30,624
144,551
456
Nocturnal Rites
30,346
56,435
457
Drudkh
30,043
97,619
458
Krisiun
30,013
127,459
459
Fight
29,759
65,094
460
Gehenna
29,506
190,595
461
Leviathan
29,444
107,062
462
Dagoba
29,425
50,587
463
Hellhammer
29,041
134,193
464
Uada
28,498
80,477
465
Deathspell Omega
28,437
78,802
466
Beherit
28,064
70,719
467
Wolves In The Throne Room
27,970
118,611
468
Tsjuder
27,814
93,397
469
Necrophobic
27,779
72,519
470
SikTh
27,671
72,416
471
Threshold
27,005
52,089
472
Circus Maximus
26,994
65,752
473
Fates Warning
26,968
89,719
474
Varg
26,060
45,895
475
Threat Signal
25,501
57,882
476
Blut Aus Nord
24,840
79,510
477
Nordjevel
24,764
32,699
478
Mercenary
24,617
42,903
479
Crisix
24,460
50,053
480
Inquisition
23,531
75,501
481
Cypecore
23,491
30,183
482
Blaze Bayley
22,896
56,973
483
Wovenwar
22,879
44,727
484
Blood Red Throne
22,846
47,835
485
Arsis
22,368
38,997
486
Craft
22,124
52,595
487
Catamenia
22,097
27,138
488
Nightrage
21,779
39,781
489
Morbid
21,709
85,822
490
Satan
20,756
46,158
491
Naglfar
20,754
67,406
492
Exmortus
20,747
34,895
493
Black Bomb A
20,577
29,080
494
Urgehal
20,244
99,406
495
Deadlock
20,015
45,297
496
Metal Allegiance
19,919
32,791
497
Legion Of The Damned
19,624
39,666
498
Jungle Rot
19,308
49,038
499
Manilla Road
18,440
43,658
500
Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult
18,430
52,287
501
Kampfar
18,251
56,992
502
Arcturus
17,928
73,481
503
Once Human
17,661
60,406
504
Havukruunu
17,390
32,886
505
Hulder
17,250
40,568
506
Enthroned
16,886
61,290
507
SATANIC WARMASTER
16,359
31,649
508
Pagan's Mind
16,053
41,658
509
Deströyer 666
15,380
59,263
510
Witchery
15,037
40,501
511
Isengard
14,892
54,714
512
Judas Iscariot
14,803
69,068
513
Control Denied
13,275
51,331
514
Vreid
12,974
36,598
515
Dødheimsgard
12,885
35,298
516
Graveland
12,675
36,842
517
Abigor
11,575
42,754
518
Horna
11,386
57,262
519
Anorexia Nervosa
11,385
41,901
520
Dark Fortress
11,198
50,738
521
Aura Noir
10,969
42,868
522
Hatesphere
10,828
22,887
523
Ragnarok
10,654
76,766
524
God Seed
9,961
24,776
525
Asagraum
9,671
35,586
526
Uneven Structure
9,167
40,582
527
Ancient
8,669
35,079
528
Battlecross
8,438
22,580
529
Feared
8,189
28,644
530
Djevel
7,022
24,664
531
Nachtmystium
6,839
26,180
532
Arckanum
5,639
30,934
533
Svarttjern
4,843
25,172
534
Azaghal
4,767
31,870
535
Khold
3,880
19,263
536
Tobias Sammet's Avantasia
3,051
8,846

Some info about metal

Metal, or heavy metal, is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the United Kingdom and the United States. With roots in blues rock, psychedelic rock, and acid rock, metal bands created a thick, massive sound, characterized by highly amplified distortion, extended guitar solos, emphatic beats, and overall loudness. The genre's lyrics and performance styles are often associated with aggression and machismo.

In the formative years, the sound that would become known as heavy metal was pioneered by bands such as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple. These groups lay the foundation with powerful guitar riffs, thunderous rhythms, and vocal styles that ranged from the melodic to the screamed. Black Sabbath, led by guitarist Tony Iommi and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, is frequently cited as the definitive metal band, their 1970 album "Black Sabbath" often considered the first true heavy metal album.

Following these foundational bands, the late 1970s and 1980s saw the emergence of a new wave of British heavy metal (often abbreviated as NWOBHM), wherein bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest refined the aesthetic and narrative approach. They brought a faster, harder edge to metal and introduced fantasy and mythology into lyrical content, establishing many staples of the genre's thematic repertoire. This period also saw the rise of American bands like Metallica and Megadeth, who pushed metal in even more aggressive directions, pioneering what would become known as thrash metal.

Throughout its evolution, metal has splintered into numerous subgenres, each with distinct musical styles and cultural followings. Examples include death metal, characterized by its heavily distorted guitars and growled vocals; black metal, noted for its fast tempos, shrieking vocals, and atmospheric qualities; and power metal, which melds the raw energy of metal with uplifting and often epic themes and melodies. Other popular subgenres include doom metal, folk metal, and symphonic metal.

Metal's popularity has varied by region but remains particularly strong in Scandinavia, Germany, and Brazil, among others. Scandinavian countries, especially Finland and Norway, are known for their significant contributions to subgenres like melodic death metal and black metal. Germany has been significant both for its contribution to power metal and for being the host of some of the genre's largest festivals, such as Wacken Open Air. Meanwhile, Brazil contributed to the global metal scene with bands like Sepultura, who infused thrash with elements of traditional Brazilian music.

Key artists in the evolution of metal who have garnered international acclaim include Slayer, whose album "Reign in Blood" is often cited as the pinnacle of thrash metal; and Pantera, whose groove metal style influenced numerous bands that came after them. In addition, bands like Nightwish have popularized symphonic metal by combining metal with classical music and opera.

Metal also boasts a unique culture and community which revolves around concerts, festivals, and fanzines. Despite its often aggressive sound, the metal community is generally seen as inclusive and supportive, united by a shared love for the complexity and intensity of the music.

Ultimately, heavy metal is more than just a genre of music; it is a cultural movement that has left an indelible mark on music history and continues to evolve and inspire an ardent fan base across the globe. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to continuously redefine itself while maintaining the core elements of what originally defined it: loud, intense, and unapologetically bold.