My Top Ten Favorite Musical Artists (Favorite to Least)
The bands that have had the biggest influence on my life, or also those I think are talented enough musically to make it on such a list (both ideologies aren't necessarily mutually exclusive).
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.
I love how diverse this band is. No one album sounds the same and these dudes can literally play anything in any style. It's hard to get tired of them because if you get bored with one sound, they've definitely tackled another. They've covered everything from Beach Boys to Mr. Bungolo and they've recorded everything from power ballad, to power metal, to heavy metal, to metalcore, to pop, to country, etc. The list just goes on and on. I also love the fact that these guys are amazing live. One of the few metal bands I would actually save up and pay high money to see in concert because it would be totally worth it. These guys never miss a beat and have such a tight live sound. M. Shadows is always on key and the guitarists are great.
Ghost is a Swedish heavy metal band that was formed in Linköping in 2008. The band consists of five masked instrumentalists known as the Nameless Ghouls, and a demonic anti-pope known as Papa Emeritus. They have released four studio albums, one live album, and two EPs. Each album introduces a new version of Papa Emeritus... read more While I'm not a big fan of the Satanic imagery, I absolutely love the sound. Ghost to me is if you took Merycful Fate, Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult, Alice Cooper Band and Abba and put them all into a blender. Ghost takes all the things I love about hard rock and metal that I think has been missing for decades and brings it all back in one little neat package. It's almost like an answer to a desperate rock listener's prayer who is pleading before God to fix everything that's wrong with metal and take it back to its roots, and that's exactly what Ghost is for me.
I just love the unique tone and the unique riffing. Deron Miller is a lyrical and musical genius, and current front man and long time lead guitarist Chad Ginsburg who is currently in Deron's position isn't half-bad either!
Black Veil Brides is an American rock band currently consisting of Andy Biersack (vocals), Jinxx (guitar), Jake Pitts (guitar), Christian Coma (drums) and Ashley Purdy (bass), that formed in 2006 in Ohio.
In the beginning of their career, the band was heavily associated with the emo subculture, and had strong metalcore, screamo and alternative influences, however got more metal oriented over the years. Their songs usually carry a message of acceptance, believing in yourself and being individual and different. Among their most well known songs are "Knives and Pens", "Rebel Love Song", "In the End" and "Fallen Angels". This band helped me through a lot of depressing times in high school and I love how much meaning and passion is behind the songs. They're able to talk about real stuff and real struggles and I love following their story. I love the imagery and I love all the Catholic metaphors.
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.
Quite possibly the most important band in thrash metal, Metallica has stood the test of time for me as being some of the greatest riff writers alive. Every song is addictingly catchy and the guitarists go hard. My personal favorite album by them is a toss up between "Ride the Lightning" and "The Black Album".
Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996 and based in the United States. A Christian band that transcends boundaries, Skillet is one of those bands you can jam out to no matter what you believe in. I love the lyrical content as a believer myself and I think the band's current and former guitarists Seth and Ben are insanely talented guys that don't get enough credit. It's not every day a Christian band makes riffs I can actually head bang to.
Avatar is a melodic death metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden, formed in 2001 by drummer John Alfredsson and guitarist Jonas Jarlsby, with bassist Hendrik Sandelin and vocalist Johannes Eckerstrom joining soon after. guitarist Tim Ohrstrom joined the band in 2010, after the departure of Simon Andersson. Avatar has brought the theatricality of rock n' roll to death metal and I think it's great. I love the song writing and I love the circus act gimmick. One of the most captivating acts since Alice Cooper. A lot of the more aggressive vocals and riffing remind me of Children of Bodom, and at other times this band reminds me of glam rock. Can't go wrong with Avatar.
Of Mice & Men is an American metalcore band from Orange County, California. The band's lineup currently consists of lead vocalist and bassist Aaron Pauley, guitarists Phil Manansala and Alan Ashby, and drummer Valentino Arteaga. I just love that these guys talk about real stuff. They remind me a lot of a heavier Linkin Park and I don't get a sense of cheesiness from their lyrics. I get the vibe that they truly care about their fans and want to use their experiences to make a difference in the world.
Cattle Decapitation is an American Deathgrind band from San Diego, California formed in 1996. Cattle Decapitation's songs protest the mistreatment and consumption of animals, the abuse of the environment and touch subjects such as misanthropy and genocide of the human race. Much of their music is based on putting humans in the situations that animals are subjected to, for example animal testing, slaughter, etc. While the band started with an entirely vegetarian lineup, only two current members are vegetarian namely Travis Ryan and Josh Elmore. This band is basically the perfect culmination of my love for more extreme metal music. I love the fact that they are very passionate about taking a stance against which things they think are not right. This band reminds me of the movie The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and how the film's director Tobe Hooper got the idea for the film from imagining the idea of humans and animals being switched. What if we were the ones being used for meat? I think it's a grotesquely brilliant concept and it keeps me captivated by this band. Not to mention the high screams and/or squeals are great and the riffs make me want to jump out of my chair and mosh.
Def Leppard are an English hard rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement. This band is just so fun to listen. Up-beat, in your face hard rock that will stay stuck in your head for weeks. I've never heard a band that writes catchier songs. Def Leppard is hands down the catchiest band to come out of the 80s and not grow stale.