Top 10 Metal Artists with 3 or More Good Cover Songs

There are 3 types of metal bands:
1) very good bands that don't make good covers (they are excluded from this list)
2) very good bands that also make very good covers
3) not very good bands that make very good covers

This list is about bands that are very consistent and made at least 3 remarkable cover songs.
The Top Ten
1 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.
2 Blind Guardian 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.
3 Jorn
4 Gamma Ray Gamma Ray is a power metal band from Hamburg, northern Germany, founded and fronted by Kai Hansen after his departure from the German power metal band Helloween.
5 At Vance At Vance is a German neoclassical/power metal band. They were formed by vocalist Oliver Hartmann and guitarist Olaf Lenk in 1998.

This is one of the bands where their covers are better than their original songs. I would conclude the band members are talented musicians (esp. guitarist Olaf Lenk) but they need a more creative songwriter.

6 Children of Bodom Children Of Bodom was a melodic death metal band from Espoo, Finland. Formed in 1993, the final lineup consisted of Alexi Laiho, Janne Wirman, Henkka Seppälä, Jaska Raatikainen and Daniel Freyberg.
7 Vader Vader is a Polish death metal band from Olsztyn. Formed in 1983, the group was founded by then-bassist Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek and guitarist Zbigniew "Vika" Wróblewski. Starting as a heavy metal group, Vader eventually went to thrash, speed, and then in the late 1980s became a death metal band. The band's name was inspired by Darth Vader from the Star Wars film series.
8 Northern Kings
9 Ghost 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
10 Yngwie J. Malmsteen Yngwie Johan Malmsteen is a Swedish guitarist, songwriter and bandleader who was born on June 30th, 1963, in Stockholm, Sweden. He was known for his neoclassical metal playing style back in the 1980s.
The Contenders
11 Tim 'ripper' Owens Timothy S. "Ripper" Owens is an American heavy metal singer who first gained attention as the lead singer of Judas Priest, and then Iced Earth. He took the nickname "Ripper" from the Judas Priest song "The Ripper" during his time in the tribute band "British Steel". He currently performs with Beyond Fear, Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force and Charred Walls of the Damned.

Flight Of Icarus (Iron Maiden) - one of the best Iron Maiden covers, esp. vocal-wise.
Santa Claus is Back in Town - one of my favorite Xmas cover songs.
Besides, Tim 'Ripper' covered many Iced Earth songs that were re-recorded with him on vocals. And many Judas Priest songs as well while he was the lead singer for Judas Priest.

12 Primal Fear Primal Fear are a German metal band formed in 1997 by Ralf Scheepers and Mat Sinner. They play heavy metal, power metal and speed metal. Primal Fear remind of Judas Priest but Primal Fear are faster and heavier. They use twin (dual) lead guitars. Ralf Scheepers voice reminds of Rob Halford.
13 Iced Earth Iced Earth is an American heavy metal band from Tampa, Florida. It was formed in 1984 under the name Rose, then Purgatory, by guitarist and main songwriter Jon Schaffer, and original drummer Greg Seymour. The band's music has also been described as thrash metal and power metal.

They released their debut album in 1990 and have since released twelve studio albums, four EPs, three compilations,... read more

Screaming for Vengeance (Judas Priest)
The Trooper (Iron Maiden) - Stu Block in lead vocals
The Ripper (Judas Priest)
Hallowed Be Thy Name (Iron Maiden)
PS.
A great band with talented musicians but I feel they didn't choose the right songs. They made good covers and Matt Barlow is a great singer but he's a low baritone who would sound better in songs written for baritones. Judas Priest and Iron Maiden singers are high tenors who also scream a lot. Matt doesn't scream much in his original material. I guess Iced Earth just wanted to pay tribute to Judas Priest and Iron Maiden.

14 Halford

This is Rob Halford of Judas Priest - he released a solo Christmas album. All songs are great but I like these covers the most:
We Three Kings
Oh Holy Night

15 Paul Di'anno Paul Andrews better known as Paul Di'Anno, is an English singer best known as the first vocalist to record with heavy metal band Iron Maiden, from 1978 to 1981.
16 Stratovarius Stratovarius is a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation, they have released 16 studio albums, 4 DVD and 3 live albums.
17 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 ...read more.
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