Metallista

Metallista is a term used in several Romance languages and in informal English contexts to denote a person associated with metal, either as an interest or as a profession. The word combines the root metall- (from Latin metallum, "metal") with the agentive suffix -ista, which indicates a practitioner, follower or specialist.

In cultural contexts, metallista commonly refers to a fan of heavy metal music. In this sense it is analogous to English terms such as "metalhead" and is applied to people who follow metal subgenres, attend concerts, and participate in related subcultural practices and communities. Usage and connotations vary by country and language; alternative local terms include metalero (Spanish) and metalhead (English).

In professional and technical contexts, metallista can describe someone who works with metals or studies their properties, overlapping with occupations and disciplines such as metalworker, metallurgist, blacksmith or industrial technician. In these uses the term emphasizes hands-on practice or identification with metal craftsmanship rather than formal academic training.

The word also appears as a brand, title or proper name in music, fashion and commerce, where its meaning depends on specific branding choices. Because metallista is not a standardized technical term in English, its precise sense is best determined from context. Related concepts include heavy metal subculture, metallurgy and metalworking.