Top 10 Bands and Artists that are Most Surprisingly Metal According to Encyclopaedia Metallum
Metal music is an intense, diverse, and often misunderstood genre. And 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.
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.
Rush was a Canadian progressive rock band that was formed in 1968. The band has had an iconic lineup since 1975, which included Neil Peart (Drums, Percussion), Geddy Lee (Vocals, Bass, Keyboards), and the guitarist, Alex Lifeson. Peart passed away after a 3 year battle with brain cancer in January of... 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 are an English hard rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement. 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 is an American alternative metal band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1979. Before settling on their current moniker in 1983, the band performed under the names Sharp Young Men and later Faith No Man.
Soundgarden was an American grunge/alternative metal band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Chris Cornell died on May 17th, 2017. 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 is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1986 in Toms River, New Jersey. They were very successful in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their first two albums certified multi-platinum.
Twisted Sister was an American heavy metal band originally from Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, and later based in Long Island, New York.
Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbanding of Overcast and Aftershock. 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 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. Same as Soundgarden, they're a metal-oriented grunge band, so I'm not surprised they're listed.
Quiet Riot is an American heavy metal band. The band was founded in 1973, by guitarist Randy Rhoads and bassist Kelly Garni under the name Mach 1. They then changed the name to Little Women, before settling on Quiet Riot in May 1975. The band's name was inspired by a conversation with Rick Parfitt of... 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
Kiss, often styled 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)... read more
William Bruce Rose Jr., better known as 'Axl Rose', is an American singer born on February 6, 1962, in Lafayette, Indiana. He Is the founder and lead singer of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses. He is a celebrated but controversial figure in the world of rock.
Eric Johnson (born August 17, 1954) is an American guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist from Austin, Texas. Best known for his electric guitar skills, Johnson is also a highly proficient acoustic, lap steel, resonator, and bass guitarist as well as an accomplished pianist and vocalist. 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.
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... 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 is an American metalcore band from San Diego, California. Founded in 2000 by vocalist Tim Lambesis, the establishment of the band's first full lineup, which included drummer Jordan Mancino, occurred in 2001. As I Lay Dying has released six albums, one split album, and two compilation... read more
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,... 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 was an American heavy metal band that formed in 1985. Based in New York City, White Zombie was originally a noise rock band, and was known for its later heavy metal-oriented sound. 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.
Dokken are an American metal band formed in 1979. They split up in 1989 and reformed four years later. Their riffs and solos are metal, but the drumming is typical hard rock/glam metal drumming.
Whitechapel is an American deathcore band from Knoxville, Tennessee. The band is named after the Whitechapel district in East London, England, referencing the series of murders committed by Jack the Ripper.
Carnifex is an American deathcore band from San Diego, California. Formed in 2005, they are currently signed to Nuclear Blast after having been signed to Victory Records and have released five full-length albums and one EP. The name of the band is derived from the Latin: carnifex, meaning "butcher"... read more
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 the first black Irishman to achieve commercial success in the field of rock music. Thin Lizzy's most successful songs, "Whiskey in the Jar", "Jailbreak"... read more
Darkest Hour is an American melodic death metal band from Washington, D.C., formed in 1995. Though failing to break early in their career, the band has received acclaim for their albums Undoing Ruin, Deliver Us, and The Eternal Return.
Heaven Shall Burn are a German metalcore band from Saalfeld, formed in 1996. The band consists of vocalist Marcus Bischoff, guitarists Maik Weichert and Alexander Dietz, bassist Eric Bischoff and drummer Christian Bass.
Scorpions are a German rock band formed in 1965 in Hanover by Rudolf Schenker. Since the band's inception, its musical style has ranged from hard rock to heavy metal. 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.
Brian Patrick Carroll, known professionally as Buckethead, is an American guitarist and multi-instrumentalist who has worked within many genres of music. 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.