Top 10 Best Heavy Metal Bands

The Top Ten
1 Iron Maiden Iron Maiden are an English Heavy Metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. The most critically acclaimed period for the band was from 1983-1989. With vocalist Bruce Dickinson, bassist Steve Harris, lead guitarist Dave Murray, rhythm guitarist Adrian Smith, and drummer Nicko McBrain. Smith left the band in 1989 and was replaced by Janick Gers. But returned in 1999, and now the band has three guitar players. ...read more.

Iron maiden are simply the best live performers in any genre of music. As for their studio albums they have this unique way of drawing you on board the more you listen. I recently converted two good friends both over the age of 50. Simply told them maiden is coming to town. Trust me they are worth a look! Both agreed the best concert they've seen bar none. At the age when they should be lower the singer's volume to hide his failing higher range. Or packing their set list with timeless oldies to ensure their faithful followers stay aboard as they grind out their last few tours. Surprisingly these guys take huge artist risks. Thankfully show us what this new material is about with all the band and Dickinson can muster. Don't believe me go to every extent to catch their show. They truly are second to none! God bless you beautiful bastards! !

Iron Maiden is heavy metal at it's best...
They have better live shows, better songs.
They have the best bassist. They have a great singer, great drummer and great guitarists...
Their songs have amazing solos, intros, riffs, vocals, drums, bass, lyrics that have deep meaning, etc.
And the best of all - they have been consistent for 30 years... And are still kicking ass.

Up the Irons! From India.

Well, before voting for Metallica blindly.. You might want to listen to maiden... Just once...
1) Something Heavy? 2 minutes to midnight, Montsegur, Where Eagles Dare...
2)Awesome riffs? Rainmaker, Afraid to Shoot Strangers, Dance Of Death
3)Superb Solos? The Trooper( YES, AGAIN), Stranger in a Strange Land
4)Excellent Intros? No More Lies, Fear Of The Dark...
5)Best Vocals? Flight Of Icarus, Run to the Hills...
6)Epicness and awesome lyrics? Hallowed Be Thy Name, Rime Of the Ancient Mariner
7) Real Heavy Metal? Any thing by IRON MAIDEN!
UP THE IRONS! From India

Iron Maiden is the definition of what heavy metal is. And is probably the most influential band on the genre after Black Sabbath... Remember that when Lars (From Metallica) was looking for a guitar player to form a band, he made it clear that was looking for someone who liked New wave of british heavy metal, specially Iron Maiden. So, being Metallica on number one, they were influenced by I'm. I think Metallica ruled the world from 1982 until 1991 (The black album is a good Hard Rock album, not a good heavy metal album). Instead, Iron Maiden have ruled since their debur Iron Maiden til... Today... More than 30 years ruling. Up the irons! (I love metallica, but seriously they should be after Iron Maiden)

2 Metallica Metallica is an American Heavy/Thrash Metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup was James Hetfield (Vocalist and Rhythm guitarist), Dave Mustaine (Lead Guitar), Lars Ulrich (Drums), Ron McGovney (Bassist). The group came into mainstream from their Self-Titled album and the hit single "Enter Sandman".

With their first two albums, Kill 'Em All and Ride The Lightning reaching underground success, their third effort, Master of Puppets has since become one of the most important heavy metal albums ever, as it became the first thrash metal album to be certified platinum. The title track has since become the band's most played song live. ...read more.

One cannot resist such titillating lyrics as they lithe and throb from mastered instruments of pleasure as they seductively taunt and slowly tease all our most forbidden places with rhythms... Base lines... Solos... Versus... Unlike any prior... Like the naughty little girl... Lured so skillfully and willfully her most delicious desires... As each song, lip and breath... Move slowly working and working every sense of our being to a ones ultimate metal deliverance. Perhaps matched only by my pure carnal lust for all things naughty... Metallica is just that good.

Very often I've heard fans of other bands claiming that Metallica is mostly at the top only because they're more famous and well-known. Well, yes, they are famous for a reason- Because they are exceptional. So, they must understand how ridiculous it is, to make accusations like: Metallica fans haven't heard any other bands, or like, so and so band is the best because they're the father of heavy metal etc... We're not here to decide who the father or grandfather is, we're voting on the best heavy metal band here. And I would go as far as to say that Metallica is the absolute best, but personally I feel that Metallica is the best, and that's my personal opinion.

Talk about a pointless exercise in futility. You have people here saying Metallica aren't heavy metal, they're thrash metal. You have people saying here saying that Master of Puppets sucks - and some say that they don't even belong here. Reality check, ok. They invented thrash metal - fact. They invented it, so those who came after them are indebted to them - fact. They wrote 5 of the greatest thrash METAL albums of all time - fact. They are the most influential heavy metal band on the planet - fact. No-one has come close to toppling 'Master of Puppets in 30-years - fact. Say what you will about them now, but don't try and re-write history, because that's fanboy stuff - fact.

Metallica pretty much defines heavy metal for me. Metallica was the reason I started playing guitar. They are the reason I want to get a degree in music. Avenged Sevenfold are my next favorite but aren't as good as some other people Iron Maiden. I like where a7x is on this list. Four might be a little too high but top ten is good. But seriously though, Johnny Christ isn't nearly the best bassist ever. He just picks the guitar part on a bass. He is pretty much playing guitar on the bass. He is ridiculously overrated.

3 Black Sabbath Black Sabbath were a Heavy Metal band formed in Birmingham, England in 1968 by guitarist and songwriter Tony Iommi, singer John "Ozzy" Osbourne, bassist and main lyricist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward.

The band became mainstream after improving after their debut album got panned. In 1978, Osbourne was fired and replaced with former Rainbow vocalist Ronnie James Dio. Who went to release 2 albums before leaving in 1983, only for Osbourne to return in 1992. ...read more.

I'm always more surprised by the comments than the actual lists. This Metallica vs. Black Sabbath one might be the worst. You all realize that both Metallica and Black Sabbath created 4-5 of the best metal albums ever created, then both dropped off by trying to evolve? Don't get me wrong, I think once Dio was in Sabbath, they raised their sound higher than Metallica likely ever will, but those two bands are almost identical in terms of history and consistency. We really need to stop saying this, "Black Sabbath was the first so therefore they're the best". We also need to stop this, "That's hard rock, that's progressive metal, that's thrash". All those fall under "heavy metal". It's not like someone is trying to list a rapper on the heavy metal list. The two best, most consistent metal bands are Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. I wouldn't even care to see someone like Iced Earth added to the top 5, just because they've not changed their sound, even with different singers. Last, if you ...more

Sorry, but if there was no Black Sabbath the Heavy Metal movement doesn't happen. Maiden and Metallica are fair choices to put ahead of them, but neither of them would have created such tunes without Sabbath laying the groundwork. Sabbath was so far ahead of their time it's ridiculous to believe they're still influencing bands 50 years later. Not to mention how much they influenced every single band on this list. Seriously, any list without Sabbath as #1 is a disgrace to Heavy Metal. Every musician and heavy metal artist would tell you the same thing.

Both Metallica and Iron Maiden are overrated Sabbath CREATED heavy metal, their first 4 albums are some of the best metal out there, and no band should match them. Tony and Geezer created the metal sound and Ozzy and Bill also made the typical metal lyrics: real, truthful, and yes, a bit satanic, a theme that would be common in metal in later years. Metallica created thrash, but actually Venom did much more important job, Iron Maiden just brought melody, metal=heavy melody=not heavy. All bow to the masters, Black Sabbath

Well I didn't expect Iron Maiden to be number one. That surprised me. Iron Maiden is good, but they don't measure up to Black Sabbath. Black Sabbath invented heavy metal, and nobody has remastered it to the same effect as them, nor will anyone in the future. Why do I prefer them over every other band? Because they are metal. They don't make metal, they are metal. Consider this, you define metal by saying Black Sabbath, you show metal by playing Black Sabbath, and you feel metal by hearing Black Sabbath.

4 Judas Priest Judas Priest are a British heavy metal band that formed in Birmingham, England, in 1969. They are often referred to as one of the greatest metal bands of all time, and are even commonly called “The Metal Gods”, after one of the songs on their 1980 album “British Steel”.

They are known for several of their hit songs, which include “Painkiller”, “Breaking The Law”, You’ve Got Another Thing Coming”, and “Turbo Lover”.
Their original lineup consisted of Al Atkins (vocals), K.K. Downing (lead/rhythm guitar), Ian Hill (bass), and John Ellis (drums). Atkins never recorded on any Judas Priest releases, but contributed to several songs. ...read more.

The one song you have to listen to before you judge metal is the live version of Victim of Changes. We almost set reunion arena in Dallas on fire during the screaming for vengeance tour. They never had another metal concert without fire extinguishers. We even made the news. I've seen them 7 times. Back in the day. They were the greatest live metal show of all time and that includes Metalica and Iron Maiden. The only thing that bothers me is the big 3 when I was young has 1 missing on the list. A very big 1. Where the hell are the SCORPIONS! AC/DC were always there as well no matter what you think of them. They are pure metal rock.

Nothing in this world defines heavy metal better than Judas Priest.
The Best Vocalist. Best Twin Lead and one of the best drummer. They made a generation called heavy metal and they are the heavy metal gods, they are also one the oldest metal bands, before maiden, Metallica and the rest.
Only Black Sabbath can be added before them only because they started the whole thing.
Judas Priest started a metal generation.
Most of the new metal bands follow Judas Priest.
They are the most influential bands in Metal of all times.
Why Metallica and Iron Maiden ahead of them the people here have gotten it completely wrong.

If any band truly defines "heavy metal," it is Judas Priest. Just look to song titles like "Metal Gods" and "Heavy Duty." They brought leather and studs to the fore, and took Black Sabbath's doomy grooves in a more up-tempo direction, paving the way for NWOBHM and thrash, which gave birth to most metal genres we know and love today. Priest's influence is felt everywhere- from glam (British Steel and Turbo) to thrash (Screaming for Vengeance) to death and power metal (Painkiller).

Judas Priest are better than Iron Maiden because they started earlier and finished later (founded 1969, Rocka Rolla-1974, and Firepower-2018) vs. Iron Maiden (founded 1975, Iron Maiden-1980, and The Book of Souls-2015). In addition, Priest has experimented with far more sounds throughout their albums, and they have evolved much more than Maiden have (just compare Sad Wings to Painkiller, then compare Killers to Brave New World- sure, more punk influence, but how different is it really?). Metallica is ...more

Judas Priest were the inventors of metal. Led Zeppelin didn't invent metal, they influenced it. These are the metal gods for sure. Painkiller was easily the strongest album they ever released. People say British Steel was what made them metal gods, but I say Painkiller was what did it. Fast riffs, Heavy vocals, and epic solos defined this album and changed the band's dymanic forever. They are certainly the best of all time, and my personal favorite.

5 Megadeth Megadeth is an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. Megadeth was formed in 1983 by guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson, shortly after Mustaine was fired from Metallica. They have released 15 studio albums to date, and have gone through many lineup changes, with Dave Mustaine being the sole constant member.

They released their debut album “Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!” in 1985, but became successful after the release of “Peace Sells...But Who’s Buying?” in 1986. ...read more.

They are the best Metal (Heavy metal, if you want to call it that. They're specifically Thrash) band out there. Their music is amazing. Even their newer albums are amazing. Endgame was a good refreshment of what we love them for. Super Collider was a good change-up further exploring their other genre tastes. I think it was also an amazing album. I am not one of those Rust an Peace replay guys. I enjoy their metal-pop, and all of it. So, I can say, without a doubt Megadeth is my favorite and the BEST heavy metal band there is

Seriously unlike Metallica which is a very great band Megadeth stayed true and loyal to their genre Metallica ruled with their first four albums but they gradually went down. Metallica is a greater and more popular band but Megadeth is a better band. Megadeth has a better guitarists and bassists they lose out to Metallica only on drums and vocals plus Megadeths songs are better. Megadeth should be at least number three or four on this list and seriously how does slipknot and a7x get above this.

Megadeth's first 5 albums, like Maiden's, Metallica's, Priest's etc. Are all excellent, and when he got kicked from Metallica I received the great 'Killing is my Business...', 'Peace Sells...', plus 3 more great thrash albums as a result. Both Metallica and Megadeth are filthy rich, so neither party has anything to complain about. Pioneers of metal's best movement, thrash metal.

The combination of his playing, his writing of both the music and the lyrics, his Nostradamus like crocking of the lead vocals and by the way possibly originating the "Thrash Metal" sound of 80's American metal make him all around the Mozart of American Heavy Metal for the last three generations. Thank god Metallica kicked him out!

6 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 discarding their original lead vocalist and enlisting Phil Anselmo, the band signed a major record deal with Warner Music Group via Atco Records. Around this time, Pantera underwent a major change in their musical... read more

These guys need to be in the top 5. PanterA actually saved metal from grunge when all the other bands gave up. If it wasn't for Pantera, Metallica and those other bands would not have came back. They are in the metal hall of fame just for that. You have to know what the band did before just voting on this list. The level of greatness in this band is infinite, forget about the glam years and listen to the groove of, Cowboys from Hell, the power of Vulgar Display of Power, the brutal of Far Beyond Driven, the different trend of, The Great Southern Trendkill, and the unique of, Reinventing the Steel.

Pantera were poor Kiss clones in the early 80's, switched to literally Power Metal in the late 80's, then switched to metal/thrash in the 90's. So their back catalogue, as a whole, is patchy at best. 'Cowboys...' and 'Vulgar...' and 'Far Beyond...' are monstrous albums, no question, but after that they were forgettable. And to imply that Dimebag doesn't have the respect he deserves is absurd. His talent and murder shook the entire metal community.

7 Avenged Sevenfold Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band, that was formed 1999 in California. Their longest lineup of members was M. Shadows (Vocals), Synyster Gates (Lead Guitar), Zacky Vengeance (Rhythm Guitar), Johnny Christ (Bass Guitar), and The Rev (Drums).

Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan (Drums), their most notable drummer, passed away in 2009, being temporarily replaced by Mike Portnoy, who was replaced by Arin Ilejay, who was finally replaced with Brooks Wackerman. A common phrase for fans "foREVer" was created after the Rev's death in his remembrance. ...read more.

In my personal opinion, Avenged Sevenfold is the best heavy metal band in the world because they have proven they can do absolutely anything! They can make any style of metal work. They can scream, they can sing, and in Hail to the King, they've proven they can pull off the Metallica, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath sound.M. shadows voice is probably the most unique voice in the world. No one can sing like him. Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance are the best guitar duo in to world, and no one can shred a solo like Gates! Johnny Christ is an amazing bassist and he certainly knows how to make everything come together with the bass! Now Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan was one of the best of the best! He was an inspirational drummer who always knew how to get the beat kicking! It was a tragedy what happened to him.. But now we move on to Arin Ilejay! Arin is another amazing drummer! What he did for the band in the Carry On, Not Ready to Die, and Hail to the King songs was amazing! He stepped up and ...more

These guys, they're just meh. Their sound has brushed with metal in the past, but about half of them have had a hard rock sound to it. They're mildly talented. The REV was good, but not great. Their singer is okay, but he sounds nasally. Their rhythm guitarist is OK at best. Their bassist, well he's about standard for a mediocre bass player. Their lead guitarist can write some decent solos, but he's nothing too special with his generic sound and sloppy playing.

Now they have some level of skill to be able to play what they play and to write the music they right, but they are highly overrated and they're just not good to my ears.

I've listened to and love all the bands on this list. But A7X is the one that gets my head bopping and my adrenaline pumping every time. I grew up on this band and that its number 9 is almost enough to make me cry. This is a band completely in tuned with the inner me. Its one of those bands that makes me feel. I feel the music in my soul I might even say. Absolutely the best. Really just the new Metallica. Certainly not over-rated. I haven't questioned a single song besides God hates us(for the obvious reasons). And I still can't stop myself from listening to it. Absolutely amazing.

I funking hate Avenged Sevenfold.. I don't like this band. They only know how to act like a mad person. They are trying to produce heavy metal music but it turns to be funny and hopeless music. Their music is not like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Children of Bodom, Unisonic, Grave digger, Slayer, Anthrax, Dragon Force, Pantera etc. Moreover, I hate the vocalist. His voice is not melodious like others, it is a funny voice. I really hate their music and songs. This hopeless band cannot be in the list.

8 Motorhead Motörhead were an English heavy metal band formed in June 1975 by bassist, singer, and songwriter Ian Fraser "Lemmy" Kilmister, who was the sole constant member; guitarist and songwriter Larry Wallis; and drummer Lucas Fox. The band's harsh vocals and fast paced tempos helped inspire speed metal and thrash metal.

Without Motorhead there's a good chance that thrash and speed metal wouldn't exist. 99.9% of Thrash, Black, and Death Metal bands in the entire universe cite Motorhead as one of their chief influences. 22 albums and not a single bad one in the bunch, They deserve much more recognition than they receive.

Not even sure they call themselves heavy metal.but they deserve to be higher up with Maiden and Van Halen. Ossy and Sabbath are not proper rockers for me and don't deserve any recognition, other that their appalling drugs antics and waste of talent. Motorhead are very clever lyricists and are quite clean for heathens! Not sure if they will convert esp lemmy.

Come on! It should be at the top. And especially the high sound waves are perfect enough to attract people. Hands down to "lEMMY" he truly is the god and no one could be compared to the "KING OF KINGS"

9 Slipknot Slipknot is an American metal band formed in Des Moines, Iowa in 1996. The band is best known as one of the pioneers of the New Wave of American Alternative Metal during the late 1990s - 2000s and are distinguishable by the band's clothing choices, consisting of black/red jumpsuits and horror inspired masks. ...read more.

Slipknot is best without a doubt because more people can relate to them and their songs more than any other bands. And some bands that say they are heavy metal really aren't. As an example system of a down isn't heavy metal at all most of their songs and videos don't make sense but then they do at the same time, but I will admit that I like them. While, Slipknots music is mostly about real life things like how they based.5:The Gray Chapter on Paul's death. Also I have seen Judas Priest live and I have seen Slipknot live, but at the Judas Priest concert I was really bored because I expected more, then at the Slipknot concert I was so happy and excited because they went well over the bar that I had set for them. And finally we miss you R.I. P Paul Gray, the best bassist ever. Maggot until I die.

This band features my favorite rock/metal vocalist of all time. He in my opinion has perfected the art of switching between a perfect metal growl and melodic verses. I keep using the word perfect because that's how I hear his voice, it is perfection, it doesn't get any better and probably never will. I love how each song has its own pace, usually fast, especially lyrically, and each is so masterfully done. I can't speak 'music' like some of these guys but I'll tell you what, these guys are the culmination of what metal sought to become in the beginning, from the moment George Thorogood first uttered the words "Heavy Metal thunder! " I like every band on this list as they all deserve a place in man's mans' heart, and every hardcore heavy metal thunder chick out there! But Ozzy only WISHES he could come up with material like Pulse of the Maggots, Disasterpiece, People=s***, Duality, and I dare not forget WAIT AND BLEED. We are lucky to get to live in a time that allows us to enjoy such ...more

Come on are you all kidding. Slipknot behind Slayer and Avenged Sevenfold. The thrash metal specialist. Though missing Joey a lot. He was the best drummer. And with having Corey in vocals why can't the band be higher in the list. Though the music style have changed from darker to thrash. But then also their experiments are the best, like in Snuff. Come on lets vote them to where they belong. Hail Maggots. Worthy to listen Wait and bleed, psychosocial, sic and the list follows.

Most unique and interesting songs I've ever heard came from this band. All the other bands tend to find a formula that works for their music and repeat, repeat, repeat. For example Metallica (amazing band, don't get me wrong here) usually has a long intro at the beginning of every song (including the new album) and then they sing and have a cool solo sometimes in between but the tunes sound similar. Slipknot makes every song sound like it's made by a different band every time.

10 Dio Dio was an American heavy metal band formed in 1982 and led by vocalist Ronnie James Dio, after he left Black Sabbath with intentions to form a new band with fellow former Black Sabbath member, drummer Vinny Appice.

Dio was an inspiration to almost all of heavy metal. First, this band fathered the "Hear N' Aid" project, pulling in talent from all manor of heavy metal bands: Blue Oyster Cult, Dokken, Judas priest, Y&T, Rough cutt, Queensryche, Motley Crue, Twisted sister, Journey, and Iron Maiden. They used the proceeds from this to relive famine in Africa.

Second, four years after Ronnie James Dio himself tragically died of stomach cancer, a tribute album was made in his honor. This album included such talents as: Anthrax, Tenacious D (Jack Black), Adrenaline Mob, Corey Taylor (Slipknot), Halestorm, Motorhead, Biff Byford (Saxon), Scorpions, Doro, Killswitch Engage, Glenn Hughes (Deep purple), Rob Halford (Judas preist) and last but not least, Metalica. In addition the money raised from this project was used to fund cancer research. I am a proud owner of this album.

Both of these albums demonstrate what a widespread impact Ronnie James Dio had, both alone, and with bands he sang ...more

Can people start talking about his band's music, not just the man? How about stating why you love Holy Diver etc. I feel like I'm at Cobain's candlelight memorial. Sure, mourn the great man's loss, but he did sing a lot of songs during his blessed career, so start celebrating the great vocalist's life.

Try to find another singer that can last 50 years in a business of young talent and still school the youngsters. He started singing doo-wop music in the 50s and ended up being THE touchstone voice of heavy metal... That's nuts and pure talent!

A great band with a great singer, but I feel Dio was a bit underrated, only Holy Diver and Last In Line broke trough but albums like Dream Evil, Lock Up The Wolves and Strange Highways went under the radar.

The Contenders
11 Disturbed Disturbed is an American alternative metal/nu-metal/hard rock band from Chicago, Illinois. The band comprises vocalist David Draiman, bassist John Moyer, guitarist Dan Donegan, and drummer Mike Wengren. They are known for songs like "Down With the Sickness" and "Stricken".

Their songs are extremely catchy (in a really heavy way most of the time). Great riffs. Awesome solos in songs such as Inside the Fire and Indestructible. Cool bass lines. Lead singer David Draiman has an excellent observation ability on reality and writes very meaningful lyrics. His voice is currently the best metal voice that has ever existed. They love their fans and they seem like they are a bunch of cool dudes to hang out with in general. What's not to like about Disturbed?

Disturbed were the ones that got me into metal, with powerful guitar and drums and David Draiman's glorious voice. And to top it off, amazingly varied and meaningful lyrics. I try to listen to a variety of metal bands and whenever I find a new one that I like and start to listen to, I come back to Disturbed after a while and it's like it sounds better than before. It just pumps me up!

Disturbed got me through some "tough times" (I know I'm not the only one, but trust me on this). Them and Metallica. They just make you feel more energetic than EVER! My favorite Disturbed song is Deify. It's so POWERFUL!
I wish Disturbed would come back from their hiatus and visit Croatia once again. It would be the second time I see them live. It would also be the second time I lose my voice on their concert.

12 Anthrax Anthrax is an American thrash metal band from New York City, formed in 1981 by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker.

Just for the sake of giving Anthrax some attention on here, I'll give 'em some lovin':

Anthrax are arguably the greatest heavy metal band of all time. Are they my favorite? Probably not, no. But trust me when I say that they deserve hella recognition. Back when they got started, they became one of the most influential speed metal of not just the 80s but of all time, being regarded as one of the members of the Big Four of the Thrash.

By the time 1990 had rolled around, Anthrax was getting ready to release the incredibly mature and well-developed 'Persistence of Time', a record which demolished the typical expectations of the Anthrax fan with absolutely pummeling riffs and conceptual themes of nuclear holocaust and the need for peace. Following this ridiculously kick-ass album, Anthrax collaborated with Public Enemy and released the song 'Bring the Noize'. This popular song is often seen as the catalyst for the fusing of rap and rock/metal which, like it or not, dominated ...more

Anthrax's 'Spreading the Disease' and 'Among the Living' are the only reason they're part of this 'Big 4' business. Their releases after that were patchy, and Testament and Exodus mop the floor with them as far as quality and consistency go. Anthrax just happened to be in the right place at the right time, that's all.

I own most of Anthrax's best albums - including John Bush era - but I just think they knocked it out of the park with Spreading The Disease and Among The Living, so perhaps (no, I am) a spoiled brat. Long live Anthrax.

Are you insane... Come on people... This is by far the greatest but most underrated metal band ever. Are you seriously tellin me that these people who gormed in around the2000's be better than d pioneers of thrash and not mention
Raprock.
I always see bands like rammstein and log above anthrax. They were the first band that used clean vocals along with headbanging drums and fast shredding guitar... Not to mention they were one of the few metal bands to define an entire genre... If you go to YouTube and type top10 heavy metal bands, antrax wouldn't be there. Or top10 heavy metal anthems and decade defining songs. Joey bellodana is by far d most talented vocalists ever... Just see armed and dangerous or madhouse. Charlie benante is a monster on drum. Just see songs like caught in a mosh or devil you you know. Dude frank bello is like (its just my opinion) a metal version of steve harris. Scott ian brought alternative picking to a whole new level.
They deserve to be in d top 10.

13 Lamb of God Lamb of God is an American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1994, the group consists of vocalist Randy Blythe, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell, and drummer Chris Adler.

Lamb of God has some of the best lyrics I've ever heard in any band of any genre. They are one of the few bands I've ever heard whose music and lyrics come together like clockwork. They've had consistently amazing albums throughout their career and their live shows are nothing short of cathartic. I understand that it's competing with older bands that have seniority when it comes to this genre of music, but lamb of god is the best band all around when considering anything within the past 10-15 years.

They deserve a place in the top ten definitely! Lyrics, performance is just spectacular! Disturbed? Seriously? Above lamb of god? Stupid! As far as the music of lamb of god is concerned you can see clear variations from album to album! Cool riffs and breaks! Chris Adler is just awesome! The band as a whole deserve a place amoung top ten undoubtedly!

Lamb of God has it all, great vocalist, awesome drummer and catchy guitar riffs, where the bass goes great to it. As written before, the lyrics are really nice. Besides that, its very hard to find a band, that has one of the best growlers and drummer ind the entire world. Love these guys Lets work together and move them up to at least top 5!

Maiden deserves to be 1st. Metallica is so overrated its ridiculous. LoG should definitely be AT LEAST top 5. In my opinion, they are the best modern metal band these days. While the songs other people list are their more 'popular' songs, all of their albums are truly musical masterpieces. Not to mention they are amazing live.

14 Five Finger Death Punch Five Finger Death Punch, often shortened to Five Finger or Death Punch, also abbreviated as 5FDP or FFDP, is an American metal band from Las Vegas, Nevada. Formed in 2005, the band's name comes from the kung fu movie The Five Fingers of Death.

Ivan Moody is under rated. This band has talent at all positions, amazing talent... The fact that their material continues to get better and better with each album should prove their worth of a top 5 spot for artists currently producing music. This list is hilarious because its more over voted than American Idol. Love what you love, but just keep fk'n rocking'!

These guys should easily be top ten. I'd say switch them with Avenged and call it good. Don't get me wrong, I like Avenged as much as the next guy, but this list is for HEAVY metal. Avenged hasn't been in that category since Waking the Fallen. FFDP on the other hand stays true to their original heaviness that made them great in their first two albums. Just my 2 cents.

This should definitely be in the top 10, no doubt. This band has a unique way of making their music catchy. I always live listening to their music. This should most certainly be over some of the bands that aren't even heavy metal, some on the list are more of rock than Heavy Metal.

Definitely the best with the following: Vocals, lyrics, drums, violence, and last of all they have epic guitar solos and a very good drummer. If you want aggressive, passionate music these are your guys!

15 Guns N Roses Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1985. The classic lineup, as signed to Geffen Records in 1986, consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. Apart from hard rock they are also associated with heavy metal. ...read more.

How are they only ranked 21, They are number 1 in my books, they had loads of hit songs greatest rock band on the planet.

They're a fad, that's what they are. Go play a slot machine - they're the same thing.

Guns N' Roses is hard rock. But still love them

They're metal. Metal-lite, but it's metal.

16 Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin was an English hard rock band formed in London in 1968 as the New Yardbirds. The group consisted of Robert Plant (Vocal), Jimmy Page (Guitar), John Paul Jones (Bass, Keyboard) and John Bonham (Drums) and was very much the child of Jimmy Page who even financed their first tour. He had tasted some previous success with The [original] Yardbirds and was friendly with some big names in rock. Page states it was Keith Moon of The Who that claimed the band could only go down, like a lead balloon -- thus prompting the iconic name of Led Zeppelin. The band's heavy, guitar-driven sound, rooted in blues and psychedelia on their early albums, has earned them recognition as one of the progenitors ...read more.

Contrary to popular belief, Led Zeppelin are not heavy metal, and other bands, such as Deep Purple, AC/DC and Guns n' Roses, are not heavy metal as well. The bands I have said are hard rock. Hard rock is based on blues music, while heavy metal leans on the classical side of music. Actual heavy metal bands are Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth and Judas Priest. Hope this comment helps.

If you listen very hard, Led Zeppelin I defined the genre of hard rock for the years to come. Every band in the late 60s and through the seventies drank from the Zepp bottle. If Communication Breakdown is not a heavy metal statement, then Paranoid from Sabbath is not either. In the late sixties a lot of bets for the metal sound were placed: Blue Cheer, Iron Butterfly, Steppenwolf, Cream, Jeff Beck, Hendrix... But the jackpot went to Led Zeppelin, they took the blues, jazz, psychedelia, country, folk and made a great synthesis, something as wild as the blues, complicated as jazz, ethereal as country and intelligent as folk, known as heavy metal. When you think seventies in music you think LZ, just like sixties-Beatles or fifties-Presley, just like that.

They're is no difference between heavy metal and hard rock. They are the only heavy metal band on this list to sell over 200 albums. They are also the only heavy metal band to sell over 250 million albums. They also are the only heavy metal band to sell over 300 million albums. They invented heavy metal, and no other heavy metal band is within 100 million albums of them. Without them most of these bands wouldn't exist, they are the greatest band of all time. How are they not number one?

Absolutely Zepp belongs at #1 Page for defining the guitar sound and as a bass drums guitar trio they can't be touched. Add inPlant's vocals which are stratospheric in range and tone along with the composition skills out shine any competition at the time. Stairway was so skillfully constructed utilizing up tempo and ballad style. Nothing comes close.

17 Queensryche Queensrÿche is an American progressive heavy metal band formed in 1982 in Bellevue, Washington, out of the local band the Mob. They released their self titled EP in 1984, but didn’t gain notoriety until the release of their critically acclaimed album Operation: Mindcrime in 1988. As of now, they have one EP, and 15 studio albums.

Should have been in top 5, best vocals, best lyrics, best melodies and the best concept album! The top 5 in this list are generally overheard, overplayed and overrated bands.
Queensryche is overall a very underrated band. Please listen to 1994 album Promised Land, and you'll see this band and the rest are completely in different fields.

I like 'Rage for Order' better. It is a lot more progressive and experimental than 'Operation Mindcrime' - as great as that album is. Check out Evergrey's 'The Inner Circle' if you want a more metallic progressive album. It's a conceptual masterpiece.

Oh my god guys seriously!? This band released Operation Mindcrime the greatest album ever, but everything else is a steaming pile of feces.

Agreed! 'Rage For Order' and 'Operation Mindcrime' are epic. Listen to Evergrey's 'The Inner Circle' if you like a heavier version of these greats.

18 Rainbow Rainbow are a British rock band led by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1993 to 1997. They were originally established with Ronnie James Dio as the lead singer and lyricist. Rainbow were ranked No. 90 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. The band has sold over 28 million albums worldwide. The band's early work primarily featured mystical lyrics with a neoclassical metal style.

This band was at it's best when Ronnie James Dio was in the band and it sold the most records with him on vocals, after they got rid of Ronnie they started declining.

I agree loved Rainbow but they deserve to be in top 20. With Blackmore on guitar dio on vocals and Cozy Powell on drums they produced Cath the raibow, Stargazer amongst other classics. Defnitely top 20.

Most of my passcodes are based on rainbow and deep purple variants...! if 16th century was like what is narrated in these songs, I would put on my greensleeves and live then and 'dance around the fire"!

Power metal bands should learn from Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow first.

19 Motley Crue Mötley Crüe is an American metal band formed in Los Angeles, California on January 17, 1981. The group was founded by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, lead vocalist Vince Neil and lead guitarist Mick Mars.

Oh, dear. I confess I own 'Too Fast For Love' and 'Shout at the Devil' but I have learned, over time, that I like women with lipstick, make-up, eyeliner, and hairspray who deal in sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll more than the men.

Great artist, could be good for motley crue that they was smoking 5 cigarettes per. Day and max 2 drinks during the weekend, in order to preserve health and the clear singing voice

They're men dressed like drag queens, playing glam metal for groupies who look almost as pretty as they do. Next fad please.

They deserve to be higher because they are one of the most influential heavy metal/ hard rock bands ever.

20 System of a Down System of a Down, formed in 1994, is an Armenian-American alternative metal group from Glendale, California. The band name is sometimes shortened to System or SOAD. They've always been a very political band since their inception. Often being against genocide and war most notably in songs like: Pluck, Holy Mountains, and BYOB (Bring Your Own Bombs). Serj is an active activist who wants to change the world for the better.

The band's current members include Serj Tankian (vocalist, keyboards), Daron Malakian (guitarist, vocalist), Shavo Odadjian (bassist), and John Dolmayan (drummer). ...read more.

System of a Down is the most innovator, creative and consistent metal band.

- Amazing guitar riffs and bass line.
- insane drums. Heavier than lots of blast beat bands.
- One of the most beautiful voices in the world, Tankian, mixed with well executed screams by him and Daron. Their voices together are simple pretty.
- Epic Lyrics.

I could be showing many points proving System of a Down is the top 1 metal band. Unfortunately, tradition and the long career influences people to think Iron Maiden and Metallica are better. But they're not.

Topping the charts doesn't mean the best (Metallica and all overrated stuff), Listen to some really great songs like chop suey, B.Y.O. B, psycho, aerials, radio/video and the list goes on.
Serj has a great voice, that can show it's variety at anytime. Daron is obviously one of the greatest metal guitarists. Shavo and John are real awesome bassist and drummer respectively.

System of a Down is the most human band. They're true humans. Metallica and others are good, but are very much overrated.

System of a down is beyond epic, amazing songs, amazing and unpredictable instruments, and of course Serj has an incredible voice. The band it's self is amazing. Totally voting for a band that's like heaving in my ears.

Not even 15? System of a Down is epic! You need to hear chop suey, lonely day, streamline, I can go on forever naming great songs. I kinda knew metalica would be first (and I am happy about that I love metalica) bot System of a Down is epic and so is children of bodom.

21 Deep Purple Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical approach changed over the years. Originally formed as a progressive rock band, the band shifted to a heavier sound in 1970. Deep Purple, together with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, have been referred to as the "unholy trinity of British hard rock and heavy metal in the early to mid-seventies". They were listed in the 1975 Guinness Book of World Records as "the globe's loudest band" for a 1972 concert at London's Rainbow Theatre, and have sold over 100 million albums worldwide. ...read more.

First band to combine heavy hard rock and classic music- The root of heavy metal.
Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath are way softer then Deep Purple's songs..
Ian's screams, Lord's heavy organ chords, Blackmore's heavy guitar riffs and more..

It is all about opinions, but it is an insult to hard rock history to place Deep Purple at number 50. A top 3 place at least.

Wow, the inventors of heavy metal are not recognized as the The Number 1 metal band? Not even in the top 10?

Why so low! Deep Purple practically invented heavy metal! They should be up in the top 3 with Black Sabbath and Led Zepplin!

22 Helloween Helloween is a German power metal band founded in 1984 in Hamburg, Northern Germany. The band is a pioneering force in the power metal genre, and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I and Part II, are considered masterpieces of the genre.

Great band! Got ever album and not one is disappointing. I find it a shame that clear talent from these guys can be put so far below so many bands that just strut random chords and bash their instruments while growling and snorting like pigs.

Really great band and the band that pretty much started power metal, definitely deserves to be at least top 15 if not top 10. list to all their albums and you will understand

Outstanding in every single way. One cannot simply compare Helloween to any other band, simply the best band ever.

One of my favorite band with great songs I neve get tired to listen...

23 AC/DC AC/DC are a Australian hard rock band, formed in November 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, who continued as members until Malcolm's illness and departure in 2014 . They were fronted by Bon Scott until his untimely death due to alcohol poisoning in 1979, after which they hired Brian Johnson to front the band. Commonly referred to as a hard rock or blues rock band.

You have to be kidding! AC/DC is one of the best metal bands ever. It has one of the greatest guitar rest ever: Angus Young. Best classic songs: Whole Lotta Rosie, Highway to Hell, Back in Black, The Razor's Edge... At least should be in the top five after Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Metallica... If you like metal you like AC/DC!

No one made a ranking here. YOU MAKE IT. Vote for your favorite bands and stop complaining about their ranks.

AC/DC is best metal band for me so my I vote is for them.

I agree. Heard the other day that the highest selling hard rock album of all time is Back in Black. 23. I don't think so. They are like The Rolling Stones of Heavy Metal. Along with AeroSmith

What!?!?!?! Why in the name of god is ac dc last? I totally don't understand... I am in such great shock right now.

24 Edguy Edguy is a heavy metal band from Fulda, Germany that was founded in 1992 by 14-year-old students Tobias Sammet, Jens Ludwig, Dominik Storch and Dirk Sauer.
25 Dying Fetus Dying Fetus is an American death metal band originally from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Formed in 1991, the group is known for their consistently hook-laden song structures, characterized by blast beats, complex riffing, slam riffs and heavy breakdowns.

If you can get past the juvenile name this is probably one of the best death metal bands out there right now. They are halfway between brutal and tech death.

I hate fetuses

They're not heavy metal, but they are they heaviest death metal band OF ALL TIME

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