Top Ten Most Lyrically Creative Metal Bands
Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1979 in Richmond, California. Spanning a career of 37 years, Exodus has gone through numerous lineup changes, two extended hiatuses, and the deaths of two former band members. Exodus has some of, if not the most creative and clever lyricism I’ve ever heard in a band. Just read the words to Blacklist or The Toxic Waltz.
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band from Boston, Massachusetts. The band was formed in 1985 under the name of "Majesty", only to change its name to Dream Theater later.The members of the band’s original lineup consisted of John Petrucci (Guitar), John Myung (Bass) and Mike Portnoy (Drums). The band had multiple keyboardists and singers, but as of and since 1991, the band's lead vocalist has been James LaBrie.
The band released their debut album "When Day and Dream Unite" in 1989, but only gained success and notoriety after the release of their second album, "Images and Words" in 1992. ...read more.
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.
How could I not add the metal gods? Hard As Iron and One Shot At Glory are my two favorite songs of theirs as far as creative lyrics go.
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.
Some of their lyrics are pretty intelligent
Brother will kill brother...
Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in New Jersey. They have gone through many line-up changes, with singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and bassist D.D. I find thrash to have the most creative lyrics of metal genres. Overkill and Exodus in particular.
Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in early 2000 and composed of bassist Troy Sanders, guitarists Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher and drummer Brann Dailor. Went from writing about Moby Dick to the dangers of the wilderness to the epic story of a lost soul who is put inside the body of Rasputin, these guys definitely have some interesting ideas for lyrics
Gojira is a progressive metal band from Bayonne, France. The band was known as Godzilla until 2001. Gojira is composed of Joe Duplantier on vocals and rhythm guitar, his brother Mario Duplantier on drums, Christian Andreu on lead guitar, and Jean-Michel Labadie on bass.
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 ...read more.
The Melvins are an American sludge metal band that formed in 1983 in Montesano, Washington. They usually perform as a trio, but in recent years have performed as a four piece with two drummers. A lot of their lyrics tend to make no sense but yet they still are very memorable and you can't help but sing along when you hear them.
Opeth is a Swedish progressive death metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990 by David Isberg, who invited Mikael Akerfeldt into the band as a bassist. Isberg ended up leaving the band, which lead to Mikael becoming the band's vocalist, guitarist, principal songwriter, and driving force. Along with ...read more.
Death was an American death metal band formed in 1983 by Chuck Schuldiner. Death is considered to be one of the most influential bands in heavy metal and a pioneering force in death metal. Its debut album, Scream Bloody Gore, has been widely regarded as the first death metal record, while the band's driving force, Chuck Schuldiner, is acknowledged as the "Godfather of Death Metal." Death released 7 studio albums, and are the band that started the Florida Death Metal scene. They were known for their death metal classics Lack of Comprehension and Crystal Mountain. Death ended in 2001 when Schuldiner died of Brain Cancer. Started off writing about "Gorny" lyrics which pertains to its Death Metal image, but by Spiritual Healing, they switched to being harsh towards religious control and televangelism, never looking back on what they used to write. And from Human onward, their lyrics tended to lean on either philosophy or grounded concepts.
For me Death is number Number 1
Anthrax is an American thrash metal band from New York City, formed in 1981 by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker.
Voivod is a Canadian heavy metal band from Jonquière, Québec. Their musical style has changed several times since the band's origin in the early 1980s. The band's current line-up consists of Denis "Snake" Bélanger, Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain, Dominique "Rocky" Laroche and Michel "Away" Langevin.
Pig Destroyer is an American grindcore band formed in 1997 in Alexandria, Virginia. The band was formed by vocalist J. R. Hayes, guitarist Scott Hull, and drummer John Evans, later replaced by Brian Harvey. Really poetic and cryptic. Even though grindcore isn't known for it's genius lyricism, Pig Destroyer is known to be a step up in that department
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.
The Sign Of The Southern Cross is one of the most lyrically creative songs I’ve ever heard in my life.
Neurosis is a post-metal band, based in Oakland, California. They formed in 1985 as a hardcore punk band, and their sound progressed towards a doom metal style that also included influences from dark ambient and industrial music as well as incorporating elements of folk music.
Van der Graaf Generator are an English progressive rock band, formed in 1967 in Manchester by singer-songwriters Peter Hammill and Chris Judge Smith and the first act signed by Charisma Records. They aren't metal, they are prog rock.
Never heard of them
Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres. Heavily influenced by Queen, they use the technique of overdubbing. They also incorporate large amounts of orchestral arrangements. Hansi Kürsch creates a huge choir effect by overdubbing his own voice multiple times in complex, overlapping harmonies. Thanks to overdubs and numerous backing vocals Blind Guardian stand out with a very dense sound. They are on the list and weren't added by me?! That's great.
Trivium is an American Heavy Metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 1999. Their frontman, Matt Heafy, lead guitarist Corey Beaulieu and Bassist Paulo Gregoletto are the band's most consistent members and have appeared in every album since.Trivium released their debut album, Ember to Inferno, in 2003 under Lifeforce Records. A moderate success, Trivium would later sign to Roadrunner Records a year later and establish further critical and commercial success from there on. They have currently released 8 studio albums. ...read more.
Unlike contemporary Metalcore acts, their lyrics actually pertained towards grounded philosophy and oppression. The Crusade has lyrics based on famous murders and a few revolving around unity. Shogun had many that centered around Greek Mythology, Japanese Culture and an anti-war song. From In Waves onward, Trivium's lyrical display tends to be more grounded on basic human concepts and philosophies, such as struggle, love, evil, perseverance, hate, religion, etc.
Cannabis Corpse is a marijuana-themed death metal band, formed in Virginia in 2006. Their band name is a parody of Cannibal Corpse. Cannabis Corpse songs are fully original but their album and song titles are parodies of many death metal bands' album and song titles (e.g. "Tube of the Resinated" vs ...read more.
Six Feet Under is an American death metal band from Tampa, Florida, formed in 1993. The band consist of four members: founding vocalist Chris Barnes, longtime guitarist Steve Swanson, current bassist Jeff Hughell and recent drummer Marco Pitruzzella.
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.
Their lyrics and themes have been very varied since the beginning. Its ranged from your typical anti-war and social rebellions in Thrash Metal, to the Cthulhu mythos, insanity, death, suffering and even grounded issues which everyone can relate with, which is clearly shown in songs from the Black Album, Load and Reload.