| Born | 8 March 1958 (age 65) London, England |
| Genres | Synthetic heavy metal • industrial rock • synthwave metal |
| Labels | Atco • Beggars Banquet • Blackmail • EMI • Mortal Records • Numa • Nilaihah Records |
| Full name | Gary Anthony James Webb |
| Influenced | |
| Influences | |
| Instruments | Vocals • synthesizer • drum machine |
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Associated acts | |
| Subgenre pioneer | Aggrotech • Industrial metal • Synthwave metal |
Gary Numan is a prominent figure in the genre of synthetic heavy metal in this alternate timeline. Unlike in our timeline, where he is famous for his work in synth-pop and new wave, Numan has a significant association with heavy metal music in this universe.
Numan began his musical career in the late 1970s as a member of the band Tubeway Army. The band achieved commercial success with the release of their single "Are 'Friends' Electric?" in 1979. However, it was Numan's subsequent solo career that would see him gain a reputation as a pioneer in the field of heavy metal music.
Numan's music was characterized by his use of synthesizers, drum machines, and electronic music instruments. This approach was a notable departure from the blues-based and psychedelic influences that dominated canonical heavy metal, especially in England and the United States.
In this alternate timeline, Numan's music was a significant influence on the development of synthetic heavy metal. Unlike traditional heavy metal, which often relied on guitars and bass as primary tools for creating heavy, rhythmic sounds, synthetic heavy metal featured the use of synthesizers, drum machines, and electronic music. This approach allowed for a more diverse and experimental sound, which appealed to a new generation of heavy metal fans.
Numan's contributions to synthetic heavy metal have had a far-reaching impact. His music has been cited as an influence by numerous bands and performers known for their work in the genre, such as Ultravox, Front Line Assembly, Skinny Puppy, Nine Inch Nails, Rotersand, Combichrist, Deathstars, Solar Fake, Suicide Commando, and Blutengel.
Synthetic heavy metal, while never as popular as canonical heavy metal, achieved significant success in the late 1970s through the early 1990s, particularly in Europe and North America. Various subgenres of synthetic heavy metal emerged, including aggrotech, industrial metal, and synthwave metal, while the genre innovations helped inform the creation of cyberpunk, nu metal, and industrial dance music.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in synthetic heavy metal, with a number of present-day bands drawing inspiration from its pioneers, including Numan himself.
Heavy metal, Heavy metal subculture, Synthetic heavy metal, Industrial music, Punk rock
