Top 10 Best Groove Metal Bands

1. Pantera

   

   Pantera was an American heavy metal band formed in 1981 by guitarist Dimebag Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul.

   The band started out as a glam metal act in the 1980s with little success. After replacing their original lead vocalist and enlisting Phil Anselmo, they signed a major record deal with... read more

   Always will be #1. No band has achieved what they did with how heavy they got. Metallica (though not groove) got lighter with each album. In contrast, Pantera got heavier with each one and still maintained their groove and bad-assery. Their riffs make you move and are catchy as hell. They had the most real lyrical content.

   Vinnie's machine gun drumming and constant tempo grooves, Phil's intense and diverse vocal performance, Dime's soaring soulful guitar solos, and skull-crushing, gut-ripping riffs, along with Rex's perfect tone and support over Vinnie's drumming and under Dime's guitar wizardry, made them exceptional. Pantera were not just the blueprint for groove metal but for all of modern metal. No one comes as close to them.

   Getcha pull. Pantera forever.

2. Lamb of God

   

   Lamb of God is an American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1994, the band originally featured Randy Blythe (vocals), Mark Morton (guitar), Willie Adler (guitar), John Campbell (bass), and Chris Adler (drums). Chris Adler departed the band in 2019 and was replaced by Art Cruz. The... read more

   I do acknowledge that Pantera is the one who brought groove to popularity, but I have one word for you - Ruin. The energy of that song at live shows, or even listening to it at home with headphones on, is unbelievable, especially after Chris' god-like drum fill, and the tempo just ramps up. I have many Pantera songs in my library, but personally, I feel that the energy of Pantera doesn't match that of LoG. Just my opinion.

   This is my first groove metal band. I don't know much about Pantera and others below. The vocals and the drum work are different and amazing. Guitar riffs make you jump like anything. Try out their "Walk With Me in Hell" for vocals and guitar, and "Laid to Rest" for drum work.

3. Machine Head

   

   Machine Head is an American heavy metal band from Oakland, California, formed on October 12, 1991, by vocalist and guitarist Robb Flynn and bassist Adam Duce. They've released numerous albums, with The Blackening (2007) often cited by critics as a modern metal masterpiece. The band continues to tour... read more

   You know, Pantera created groove metal, but Machine Head took it to another level. You can't compare The Blackening or Burn My Eyes albums with any other groove metal albums.

   "Burn My Eyes"

   "Unto the Locust"

   "The Blackening"

   "Supercharger"

   Machine Head is one of several bands I really enjoy listening to. They are tough and melodic at the same time. Unbelievably cool.

   All these top ten bands are very good metal bands, but The Blackening album has pushed it to the next stage.

4. Sepultura

   

   Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte. Their first album, Morbid Visions, presented a proto black metal sound and featured Wagner Lamounier of Sarcófago. Over the years, their sound has evolved across albums to include elements of thrash metal, groove metal, and death metal.

   Sepultura is so much better than most of these bands. Pantera is awesome. Lamb of God is deathcore, Machine Head is technical thrash, DevilDriver is cool, and 5FDP is metalcore.

   Ridiculously groovy, fantastic lyrics, great energy. The Cavalera brothers take the name and set the bar for many bands to come.

   With or without the Cavalera Brothers, still the best! I really like Derrick Green. Can't say the same of the drummers after Igor.

5. Gojira

   

   Gojira is a progressive and death metal band from Bayonne, France. The band was originally known as Godzilla until 2001. Its members include Joe Duplantier on vocals and rhythm guitar, Mario Duplantier on drums, Christian Andreu on lead guitar, and Jean-Michel Labadie on bass.

   This is the band that got me into metal music. As much as I respect other death/groove metal bands (the subgenres that seem to appeal to me the most), I have to say Gojira is my favorite by far. I like them better than Pantera and Lamb of God, for example. Their rhythm is as good as flawless, and their style is unique, heavy, and very technically advanced for just four people, in my opinion.

   This is by far one of the best metal bands of all time. The guitar is meticulous, as are the double bass drums. Amazing band, and the sound that comes from only four band members is simply addicting. I can listen to every album every day and still shake my ass to them. From Mars to Sirius and L'Enfant Sauvage are the top two in my opinion, but I love all of them the same. No other band comes close to their sound either.

6. Five Finger Death Punch

   

   Five Finger Death Punch, often abbreviated as 5FDP or FFDP, is an American heavy metal band from Las Vegas, Nevada. Formed in 2005, the band's name is inspired by the classic martial arts film The Five Fingers of Death. They released their debut album, The Way of the Fist, in 2007.

   My favorite metal band ever. They manage to be fast and heavy and still vary their music every few seconds. They also manage to be on the heavier side of metal without resorting to screaming through every song. Ivan Moody's incredible vocals are what set FFDP above bands like Sepultura and DevilDriver, in my opinion. He screams when it counts and only when it counts.

   That combination of fast, hard, varied metal and a mix of screamed/sung vocals is also the recipe that sent Pantera and Slipknot (sorta) to the top of the heap. I wish more 'any'-core metal bands would take notice and produce recognizable vocals.

   And a final note: nearly all their songs are 3-4 minutes long, not 5-6. It's wonderful.

7. Fear Factory

   

   Fear Factory is an American industrial metal band formed in 1989. Over the course of their career, they have released ten full-length studio albums, exploring a range of styles including industrial metal, death metal, groove metal, and thrash metal. They are recognized for pioneering a fusion of extreme... read more

   Awesome band. Reinvented metal in the 90s, bludgeoning a stagnant scene. Between FF, Sepultura, and Pantera, the genre we all love has been given new life.

   They are just an awesome band, full of heavy riffs, and skull-crushing drums and bass.

8. White Zombie

   

   White Zombie was an American heavy metal band formed in 1985 in New York City. The band began as a noise rock project and later evolved into a heavy metal group with a distinctive horror-inspired aesthetic. They gained mainstream popularity in the early 1990s before disbanding in 1998.

   People like to say that Exhorder was the first groove metal band. While they had demos in the '80s, they didn't adopt the groove metal style until the '90s. Honestly, I could barely call their first album groove metal. White Zombie released an EP in 1989, a year before Exhorder's first album.

   I believe putting this band below FFDP is a true sin. Satan is disappointed... or something like that. At least make this band higher than Rob since this IS his band.

   I believe Rob Zombie and White Zombie set the standard for this genre.

9. Black Label Society

   

   Black Label Society is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1998 by Zakk Wylde. Wylde, who had previously played guitar for Ozzy Osbourne, created the band as a vehicle for his own musical vision. The group is known for its blend of heavy riffs and southern rock influences... read more

   I like Pantera a lot, but they're way overrated. BLS is definitely my favorite groove metal. And they excel at bluesy stuff too.

   The ultimate groove metal band. Should be number one. They are in my book.

10. Meshuggah

    

    Meshuggah is a Swedish progressive metal band from Umeå, formed in 1987. They are often considered pioneers of the djent subgenre due to their use of downtuned, polymetric guitar riffs and complex rhythms. They are also known for their song "Bleed," which is notable for its intricate instrumentation... read more

    This list is so bad. Why is Slipknot on the list? They are just a scene band that was inspired by the worst genre of music, crossover thrash, and then made it worse by adding emo lyrics and ripping off Korn and Sepultura.

    However, these guys are the most technical out of the lot. I will have to admit that LoG and Fear Factory are heavier because they were inspired by death metal, but these guys and Pantera were influenced by thrash metal, which is far superior.

    Really underrated, they should be in the top ten. Amazing drum skills and guitar lines, and the vocals are awesome! But Lamb of God is my favorite groove metal band, and Gojira comes in second place. Pantera is too overrated for being the best groove metal band. And also, Slipknot isn't groove metal. They are nu-metal and heavy metal.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Cavalera Conspiracy

    

    Cavalera Conspiracy is an American heavy metal band founded by Brazilian brothers Max and Igor Cavalera. They are joined by American musicians Marc Rizzo on guitar and Johny Chow on bass. The band was formed in 2007 and is known for blending thrash, groove, and death metal influences.

    Definitely underrated. They should be in the top 10.

12. ?

    Crimena

    CRIMENA is an Asian-fronted groove metal band from Romania. Formed in 2014, the band was founded by the bassist, Vali.

    The band's name is derived from Greek, meaning "hidden." In 2016, they launched their first album, Chapter One: Divine Betrayal.

The Contenders

13. DevilDriver

    

    DevilDriver is an American heavy metal band from Santa Barbara, California, formed in 2002. The band's current lineup includes vocalist Dez Fafara, guitarists Mike Spreitzer and Neal Tiemann, bassist Diego "Ashes" Ibarra, and drummer Davier Pérez.... read more

    One of the most underrated bands among the heavy hitters. They are newcomers compared to other established metal bands, but their grooves are so addictive, and they never lack punch!

    Dez Fafara and his brother are amazing the way they play slow to heavy metal. Listening to DD, it's like you're unleashing something that will destroy others.

    Awesome brutal drumming.

    Heavy riffs and awesome brutal solos.

    Great vocals.

    All over one of the most brutal bands in groove metal.

14. Corrosion of Conformity

    

    Corrosion of Conformity is an American heavy metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina, formed in 1982. Throughout much of its history, the band has featured guitarist Woody Weatherman, bassist Mike Dean, drummer Reed Mullin, and vocalist and rhythm guitarist Pepper Keenan.... read more

    Most awesome old-school band ever! And their album Animosity sounds so original, and the vocals sound amazing.

15. Volbeat

    

    Volbeat is a Danish heavy metal band formed in Copenhagen in 2001. They are known for blending elements of rock and roll, heavy metal, and rockabilly into their music. The band has released multiple albums and achieved international success with hits like Still Counting and A Warrior's Call.

    Really, they are growing in the desert of metal music. Anyway, now all metal fans need new creation in music composing. I know that Volbeat steals many riffs from other metal monsters, but they did the best with them. I hope to see them greater than now, because they can do that. Lovely band with nice vocals. Hail Poulsen.

    Sounds like Elvis and Johnny Cash meet Metallica. Great use of harmonies vocally and instrumentally. They have a classic rock and metal fusion sound that can't and shouldn't be ignored.

    I like Volbeat, but this is not groove metal. It's something different, but not hard enough and far too slow and pop-ish. I pretty much agree with everyone who thinks this is a bad category for Volbeat.

16. Slipknot

    

    Slipknot is an American metal band that formed in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1996. They're recognized as a key force in the New Wave of American Alternative Metal from the late 1990s through the 2000s. The band is also known for their black and red jumpsuits and horror-inspired masks.... read more

    Personally, I like Slipknot. I love the crunchy sound and the aggressive lyrics and vocals. They write their songs angry, they record them angry. But they also have a softer sound, as shown in Snuff, Vermillion Pt.2, and If Rain Is What You Want.

    But they aren't really groove metal. They are one of the best nu-metal bands out there, like Disturbed, System of a Down, A Perfect Circle, Cane Hill, Deftones, and Tool (they're alternative progressive metal, and nu-metal is a derivative of alternative metal, so it counts), and Rage Against The Machine (that's right, I said they're nu-metal, sue me).

    Slipknot is the best groove metal group. They should be on top. They are one of the pioneers of this genre. They are one of the definitions of this genre.

17. Chimaira

    

    Chimaira was an American metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in 1998, the group blended groove metal and metalcore styles and became associated with the New Wave of American Heavy Metal movement. The band released several albums and went through numerous lineup changes before disbanding in 2014.

    Chimaira features energizing and neck-breaking grooves, as well as recognizable influences from thrash metal in most of their songs, which makes them a god-tier groove metal band.

    Simply amazing. Perfect groove metal band. No one got even close to them. The question should be, "Best 9 groove metal bands after Chimaira."

    Chimaira are simply beasts. If you're looking for the best brutal groove metal band, you have found them!

18. Exhorder

    

    Exhorder is an American metal band from New Orleans, Louisiana. They are widely credited with pioneering the groove-oriented thrash sound that later gained popularity through bands such as Pantera, Lamb of God, White Zombie, and Machine Head. Formed in the mid-1980s, Exhorder played a significant role... read more

    I absolutely agree, Exhorder should definitely be #1, with Pantera and Fear Factory as #2 and #3, in that order. The song (Cadence of) The Dirge from The Law (1992) was ahead of its time and still blows my mind. I truly regret that there won't be a new Exhorder album this year. Exhorder was ahead of its time, period. They could have definitely become one of the greats. In my opinion, they still are, for founding the genre and feel.

    Exhorder should be #1, or at least in the top 5, though I can see why they're not. Unfortunately, not a lot of people have heard of them, so the Cowboys from Hell get the spot, which I can't get mad at.

19. Nevermore

    

    Nevermore is an American progressive metal band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1991. Their music blends elements of power metal, modern hard rock, classic heavy metal, and technical thrash. The band has been on hiatus since 2011 due to personal issues among the members.

    Warrel Dane is one of the best metal vocalists to grace this earth in recent years. Jeff Loomis is a monster at guitar. What more needs to be said? Nevermore should be on this list.

20. Crowbar

    

    Crowbar is an American sludge metal band from New Orleans, Louisiana. Their music is known for being extremely slow, heavy, and brooding, with frequent fast-paced hardcore punk passages. The band was formed in 1990 by guitarist and vocalist Kirk Windstein and is considered one of the pioneering acts... read more

21. Byzantine

22. Mastodon

    

    Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. The band was formed in early 2000 and includes Troy Sanders on bass, Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher on guitars, and Brann Dailor on drums. They are known for their complex song structures and blending of multiple metal subgenres.

23. Hellyeah

    

    Hellyeah is an American heavy metal supergroup formed by members of various well-known bands. Its lineup includes Mudvayne vocalist Chad Gray, former Nothingface guitarist Tom Maxwell, bassist Kyle Sanders, guitarist Christian Brady, and former Pantera and Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul. The band combined... read more

    HellYeah's Blood For Blood is some of the best I've heard since Pantera's Cowboys From Hell and Vulgar Display of Power. Chad Gray can scream like no other, and his vocals have grown tremendously since Mudvayne. HellYeah puts on a kick-ass live show! They should definitely be in the top ten!

    Blood for Blood is out of control. Nothing like Demons in the Dirt. Scratch a Lie off Undeniable is also kick-ass. They should be top 10. They are my number 1.

    Way, way too low. Easily top 10. It's Chad Grey and Vinnie Paul (rest in peace), for Christ's sake!

24. Helmet

    

    Helmet is an American alternative metal band from New York City, formed in 1989. Founded by vocalist and lead guitarist Page Hamilton, the band has undergone numerous lineup changes, with Hamilton as the only constant member. Helmet is known for its heavy, precise sound and has influenced the development... read more

25. Prong

    The original inventor of groove metal, everyone else followed.

26. Anthrax

    

    Anthrax is an American thrash metal band from New York City, formed in 1981 by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker. The band is considered one of the Big Four of thrash metal, alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth. They are known for albums such as Among the Living and for pioneering the fusion... read more

27. Hatebreed

    

    Hatebreed is an American metalcore and hardcore band from Bridgeport, Connecticut, formed in 1994. They have released eight studio albums, with the most recent being Weight of the False Self, which came out on November 27, 2020. Their music combines the aggression of heavy metal with the intensity and... read more