A style of rock 'n' roll characterized by a harsh, amplified sound and loud, distorted electric guitars. a type of rock music that is played loudly, has a strong beat, and uses electric instruments
A sub-style of rock emerging in the late 1960's (but reaching a peak of popularity in the late 1970's and early 1980's with bands such as Van Halen and Foreigner) focusing on the virtuosity of the heavily distorted electric guitars