Top 10 Bands and Artists that are Most Surprisingly Metal According to Encyclopaedia Metallum

Metal music is an intense, diverse, and often misunderstood genre. When it comes to determining which bands and artists fall under the metal banner, things can get a little complicated. This is where Encyclopaedia Metallum, the definitive resource for all things metal, comes into play. But did you know that there are some bands and artists catalogued there that might surprise you?

As you probably know, Encyclopaedia Metallum is a reliable place to discover metal bands, both obscure and popular. It's like a treasure trove for metal fans seeking new music to headbang to. But let's talk about those unexpected entries, the bands and artists who, on the surface, might not seem to fit into the heavy world of metal.

In the vast spectrum of metal music, you'll find a surprising array of artists who defy traditional genre boundaries. From bands that incorporate unconventional instruments to artists who blend disparate musical styles, the metal scene is full of surprises. It's part of what makes this genre so exciting and unpredictable.

The Top Ten

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, along with lead vocalist Vince Neil and lead guitarist Mick Mars. They are known for their hedonistic lifestyle and iconic albums such as Dr... read more
Rush

Rush is a Canadian progressive rock band that was formed in 1968. The band's most iconic lineup consisted of guitarist Alex Lifeson, bassist and vocalist Geddy Lee, and drummer Neil Peart, who joined in 1974. Following Peart's death from brain cancer on January 7, 2020, Lee and Lifeson announced in October... read more

The only band I absolutely disagree with being on Metallum. They never released a metal song, not even their earliest ones. They had hard or heavier progressive rock songs, but they NEVER played metal.
Def Leppard

Def Leppard are an English hard rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement.
The band rose to international fame with albums like Pyromania (1983) and Hysteria (1987), the latter of which sold over 20 million copies worldwide. They were inducted... read more

Def Leppard isn't on EM for songs like Pour Some Sugar on Me, Love Bites, Let's Get Rocked, and similar hits. They are listed for their debut album, which was part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement.
You understand that Def Leppard and other bands on this list may have some metal songs or albums, but it doesn't mean all their songs are metal just because the band is on EM. This is very important.

They have some metal songs from their earliest period. But yes, overall, they aren't metal.
Faith No More

Faith No More is an American alternative metal band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1979. Before adopting their current name in 1983, they performed under the names Sharp Young Men and later Faith No Man. The band gained widespread recognition with their 1989 album The Real Thing, which featured... read more
Soundgarden

Soundgarden was an American grunge and alternative metal band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto.
The band was one of the pioneers of the grunge movement and released critically acclaimed albums... read more

Yes, they're grunge, but they're a very metal-oriented grunge band, not a punky grunge band like Nirvana. So they're not a bad pick on Metallum either.
Skid Row

Skid Row is an American heavy metal band formed in 1986 in Toms River, New Jersey. They achieved major success in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and their first two albums were both certified multi‑platinum. They became best known for hits such as 18 and Life and I Remember You.
Twisted Sister

Twisted Sister was an American heavy metal band originally from Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, later based in Long Island, New York. The band was active from the early 1970s until 2016 and is best known for hits like We're Not Gonna Take It and I Wanna Rock. Twisted Sister achieved significant commercial success... read more
Killswitch Engage

Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts. The band was formed in 1999 after the breakup of Overcast and Aftershock. They are considered one of the pioneering bands of the metalcore genre.

Metalcore is a mix of metal and punk. Killswitch Engage includes enough metal elements in this mix while most other metalcore bands don't.
Alice In Chains

Alice in Chains is an American grunge/alternative metal band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The band's most notable hits include "Man in the Box," "Down in a Hole," "Heaven Beside You," "No Excuses," "What the... read more

Same as Soundgarden, they're a metal-oriented grunge band, so I'm not surprised they're listed.
Quiet Riot

Quiet Riot is an American heavy metal band that was founded in 1973 by guitarist Randy Rhoads and bassist Kelly Garni. The group initially went by the name Mach 1, then changed it to Little Women, and finally settled on Quiet Riot in May 1975.... read more

I have mixed feelings about them. Their music sounds like metal most of the time, but it's pretty poppy. So I don't know.

The Newcomers

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KISS

Kiss, often stylized as KISS, was an American rock band formed in New York City in 1973. The original members were Paul Stanley (vocals, rhythm guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals, bass guitar), Ace Frehley (lead guitar, vocals), and Peter Criss (drums, vocals). Known for their face paint and elaborate stage... read more
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Axl Rose

William Bruce Rose Jr., better known as Axl Rose, is an American singer born on February 6, 1962, in Lafayette, Indiana. He is the founding member and lead vocalist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, which rose to international fame with their debut album Appetite for Destruction (1987). Known for... read more

The Contenders

Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson (born August 17, 1954) is an American guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist from Austin, Texas. He is best known for his exceptional electric guitar skills, but he is also highly proficient on acoustic guitar, lap steel, resonator, and bass. In addition to his guitar work, Johnson is an accomplished... read more

There are lots of Eric Johnson entries on Metallum. But I am talking about this one. He is on Metallum. He is a shredder but not a metal guitarist. He is mostly a hard rock guitarist.
Motorhead

Motörhead were an English heavy metal band formed in June 1975 by bassist, singer, and songwriter Ian Fraser "Lemmy" Kilmister, guitarist Larry Wallis, and drummer Lucas Fox. Lemmy was the band's only constant member. Their aggressive sound, harsh vocals, and fast-paced tempos were influential in the... read more

Yes, Lemmy said many times they weren't metal, and I agree with him. However, Motörhead is a more complicated case because they have always been considered metal by many. I don't know, maybe in the future, EM will change their opinion about Motörhead.
As I Lay Dying

As I Lay Dying is an American metalcore band from San Diego, California. The band was founded in 2000 by vocalist Tim Lambesis, and its first full lineup, including drummer Jordan Mancino, came together in 2001. As of 2024, the band has released seven studio albums, including Shaped by Fire, along with... read more
Deep Purple

Deep Purple is an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. They are regarded as pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical style has changed over the years. They originally played progressive rock, but shifted to a heavier sound around 1970.... read more

Yes, they played hard rock, blues rock, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, and also heavy metal. Some of their songs aren't heavy, but their riff and solo techniques were inspirational to metal guitarists, along with Ian Gillan's vocals.
However, this didn't surprise me that much. What surprised me most was that Child In Time wasn't considered a metal song.

This isn't a surprise - Deep Purple invented metal as we know it now: a genre that is fast, technical, and classically inspired. They wrote several metal songs in the early '70s. Deep Purple and Black Sabbath wrote the first metal songs.
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.

I guess White Zombie is on EM for the early stuff that is heavy metal/noise rock, not for his later industrial rock material that some people call "metal."
No, they don't make the same music. Metal elements available in some White Zombie songs were replaced with punk in Rob Zombie's material. Punk is also loud, fast, angry, and aggressive, but it is easier to play and understand. Punk is simple, metal is complex. There are also other differences.
Hank Williams III
Dokken

Dokken is an American metal band that was originally formed in Los Angeles in 1978 under the name Airbourne. The group gained commercial success in the 1980s with hit songs like Alone Again, In My Dreams, and Burning Like a Flame. They broke up in 1989 but reunited in 1993 and have continued to release... read more

Their riffs and solos are metal, but the drumming is typical hard rock/glam metal drumming.
Infectious Grooves
Whitechapel

Whitechapel is an American deathcore band from Knoxville, Tennessee. The band is named after the Whitechapel district in East London, known for the Jack the Ripper murders. Their music features aggressive instrumentation and often explores themes of violence and inner struggle.
Carnifex

Carnifex is an American deathcore band from San Diego County, California. The band was formed in 2005 and is currently signed to Nuclear Blast, following previous deals with labels like Victory Records. They have released nine studio albums and three EPs, establishing themselves as one of the prominent... read more
Thin Lizzy

Thin Lizzy are an Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Their leader, Phil Lynott, was composer or co-composer of almost all of the band's songs and was the first black Irishman to achieve commercial success in the field of rock music.... read more
Darkest Hour

Darkest Hour is an American melodic death metal band from Washington, D.C., formed in 1995. Although they struggled to gain recognition early in their career, the band has received acclaim for several of their releases. Their most praised albums include Undoing Ruin, Deliver Us, and The Eternal Return... read more
Heaven Shall Burn

Heaven Shall Burn are a German metalcore band from Saalfeld, formed in 1996. The band includes vocalist Marcus Bischoff, guitarists Maik Weichert and Alexander Dietz, bassist Eric Bischoff, and drummer Christian Bass. Known for their aggressive sound and politically conscious lyrics, the band has released... read more
Scorpions

Scorpions are a German rock band formed in 1965 in Hanover by guitarist Rudolf Schenker. Early members included vocalist Klaus Meine and guitarist Michael Schenker, later replaced by Matthias Jabs. The band first gained international attention in the late 1970s, and has since explored styles ranging... read more

Yes, they are mostly a hard rock band, but they were also a metal band in the '70s when Uli Jon Roth was there. Listen to the solo of "Fly to the Rainbow" - the most powerful dive bombs I have ever heard. Plus, Uli Jon Roth is a neoclassical metal artist. The biggest reason they are listed is because of neoclassical metal and shredding.

Only one metal song I can think of immediately - Sails of Charon.
Buckethead

Brian Patrick Carroll, known professionally as Buckethead, is an American guitarist and multi-instrumentalist who has released over 300 studio albums. He is recognized for his unique style and stage persona, which includes wearing a KFC bucket on his head and a white mask. Buckethead has worked across... read more

No, Buckethead deserves to be there. Buckethead is a metal artist. Listen to songs like Eerie Canal, Botnus, Frozen Brains Tell No Tales, and Crack the Sky. He has a lot of songs, but most of the famous ones aren't metal. That's why people think he is not a metal guitarist, but he surely is.