Top Ten Best American Metal Bands
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.
They may all be good, but compared to Metallica all of these bands are armatures: fact. If it wasn't for Metallica none of them would exists. Hands down best band, metal or not. They really know how to write music, especially for today's standards. And there doing the best they can for how old they are now, considering some of there songs are played faster than the recorded version. Metallica, keep writing awesome tasteful music! Love you guys!
"Not What They Used To Be" would only be accurate before Death Magnetic came out. That album is total thrash metal like their old stuff and its an extremly underrated album. Just listen to All Nightmare Long, it's so awesome!
We all know that Metallica are the kings of metal. A7X is a good band and even though I am a big Linkin Park fan, LP is not metal... LP is the best alt rock band...
Metallica is amazing. Though their not what they used to be, they can put on killer shows, and are always unique. All the bands on this list suck period. Metallica= best American m etal band ever
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.
Just voted to get them above korn. Korn is good but not above great bands like pantera, megadeth, slayer, anthrax, dio, etc.
This band is just awesome. I just love them... Can't believe their so down in the list!
How are posers like Avenged Sevenfold and slipknot above megadeth?
*Ahem* did we forget Megadeth was an American band?
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.
With the bands debut album "Sounding the Seventh Trumpet" they started with producing metalcore music, until they changed their sound into alternate metal with the album "City of Evil".
The band is best known for songs, like "Afterlife" or "Nightmare", and sometimes "A Little Piece of Heaven". They have created over ten albums. ...read more.
Avenged sevenfold has every taste of music I love to hear/listen. Every members of this very band is very unique. I love M Shadow voice.how manly he sang and scream. This band must be in the top 1 list.no question.no doubt they are the best and no other band in the future can step them.
M. Shadows is one of a kind vocalist and I love his higher vocal range, falsetto and he can growl like any other metal band which in my opinion better than james hedfield and corey taylor. That is just make a7x better than Metallica but I am agree Metallica nust be topple them out since Metallica is one of my favourite metal band ever and dream theatre shoild be in second place
I love A7X but how in the world are they above Testament? Testament has god AKA Alex SKolnick but A7X did have Jimmy, and have Syn, Matt, Zacky, and Johnny but Testament should have been at least number 1 and A7X should number 2, and Metallica sucks, Megadeth should be above Metallica
Slipknot is a great band with a bunch of great songs but Avenged Sevenfold is Avenged Sevenfold with such awesome guitarists, super vocalist and the world's best drummer. RIP Jimmy.
Slayer is an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California, formed in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. They rose to fame with their 1986 album Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the big four of thrash metal bands, the others being Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax.Slayer is known for their graphic and controversial lyrics which cover topics such as satanism, religion, murder, serial killers, terrorism, hate crimes, necrophilia, torture, human expiramentation, genocide, nazism, antireligion, and war. One of their songs has even been linked to the murder of a teenage girl (Elyse Pahler). Despite their explicit songs, Slayer have never claimed to be satanists (with frontman Tom Araya claiming to be a devout Catholic who doesn't let Slayer's lyrics interfere with his beliefs) or have condoned harm in people. ...read more.
Why is not Slayer number one? They are definitely the best thrash metal band and both Megadeth and Metallica are thrash. Slayer has realeased the best thrash metal album (Reign in Blood) and definitely deserve to be number one.
My list
1. Slayer
2. Megadeth
3. Dio
Avenged Sevenfold above Slayer? There is no hope for the Metal community
Every member is incredibly influential and brought something to metal
Pantera was an American Heavy Metal band formed in 1981 by guitarist Dimebag Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul. The band started out as a Glam Metal act in the 1980s with little success. After discarding their original lead vocalist and enlisting Phil Anselmo, the band signed a major record deal with Warner Music Group via Atco Records. Around this time, Pantera would undergo a major change in their musical direction, discarding their Glam Metal image in favor of a more more Thrash Metal esque reputation. Their Thrash influences would eventually be seen as influences for Groove Metal ...read more. Pantera is the best. Rex is a bad ass bassist. Vinnie Paul can wail on the drums and has an amazing sound. You know his drumming. Phil is the greatest front man hands down. Just saw the PHA and the illegals. Awesome... but Dimebag is metal. He's the best. Period. Notice metal fell off after that idiot ruined metal. I saw Pantera. Along with most of this list. No one can come close to Pantera. The connection between the fans and the band may never be duplicated. Slayer is close in that category but they lack the ferocious vocals of Phil and the amazing guitar of Dime. Pantera influences all new metal and set the bar when Far beyond Driven debuted at #1.
Who else can sell out 10,000 people a night without radio or mtv support? A #1 album without the help of a top 40 song. Metallica is the only metal band bigger than Pantera and we all know how that happened. Pantera even influenced bands/musicians that came out years BEFORE them (Rob Halford in 1990s). Some of the biggest rock bands of all time have ADMITTED to being blown off the stage by Pantera. Whether you like Pantera music or not, their accomplishments as a band are unmatched. by anyone.
What a horrible list, most of the bands on here are complete garbage. Pantera was, is, and always will be the greatest metal band of all time.
The creators of groove metal, deserves better than 8th.
Dio was an American heavy metal band formed in 1982 and led by vocalist Ronnie James Dio, after he left Black Sabbath with intentions to form a new band with fellow former Black Sabbath member, drummer Vinny Appice. Do I even have to explain why Dio is the greatest American metal band? Dio's voice is overwhelmingly powerful, the riffs are cool as hell and the songs have great lyrics. No doubt, the greatest American metal band ever.
Slipknot AND Avenged Sevenfold above the legendary Dio? I have lost faith in the metal community.
With vocals like that Dio is the Boss. Plus he was in Black Sabbath and I love them
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.
Since the release of “Images And Words”, the band has developed to be one of the most well-known and successful progressive metal bands in the world, and with the release of their 5th studio album, "Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From a Memory" in 1999, they created one of the most well-known and beloved progressive metal and also concept albums of all time. ...read more.
Their music is beautifully complex, and yet heavy at the same time. They also have a variety of songs with different styles - all of which are amazing. Surely they should take first place
The hell is going on in this list!
It's a disgrace to all the legendary bands on this list that A7X, Slipknot and Korn arerated above them. Shame on you.
Why only the fifth place, I mean like the others all pretty cool but DT gives us chillings, gives us masterpieces and makes us believe they're gods. Yay
Dream Theater are not from Canada - James LaBrie is Canadian but DT are an American band!
Iced Earth is an American heavy metal band from Tampa, Florida. It was formed in 1985 under the name Purgatory by guitarist and main songwriter Jon Schaffer and original drummer Greg Seymour.
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. Death made 7 decent albums (many of them much more than decent) and Metallica only made 3.5 decent albums. Come on, I can't believe how extremely overrated that band is. Death on the other hand made true, good quality Metal.
Ridiculously good riffs, extreme heaviness, overall musical profficiency, very good lyrics (towards the end of their career), and no sell outs.
Chuck Schuldiner was always true to Metal, making brilliant music and giving Metal a new meaning, and for that I thank him
Recommended songs: Crystl mountain, Misanthrope, Zombie Ritual, Pull the Plug, Spirit Crusher, the Philosopher, Cosmic Sea, Flesh and the Power it holds
By far the best band on this list. Sad that the rest are Nu-Metal bands.
Best songs:
Crystal Mountain - Most popular, catchy, heavy
Zombie ritual - If you like traditional death metal
Flesh and the power it holds - progressive, technical and still heavy and catchy.
Slipknot is an American metal band formed in Des Moines, Iowa in 1996. The band is best known as one of the pioneers of the New Wave of American Alternative Metal during the late 1990s - 2000s and are distinguishable by the band's clothing choices, consisting of black/red jumpsuits and horror inspired masks. ...read more. Slipknot is one of the best bands I have ever heard. I'm a big country music fan but Slipknot and Misfits have pulled me into this whole world of music. I love Slipknot!
Slipknot is so amazing. the best song in my opinion is Eyeless, My Plague, or Wait and bleed. The best album is slipknot. If you like Nu-Metal go on to iTunes and check them out.
Slipknot rocks no matter what. Stay (sic) everyone! R.I.P. Paul Gray.. Slipknot is the best band! And Limp Bizkit sucks!
Avenged Sevenfold is crap, and so is Metallica. Yes, I said it.
Slipknot is the BEST.
Anthrax is an American thrash metal band from New York City, formed in 1981 by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker. They should easily be top 10. Joey Belladonna and Scott Ian are legendary together
Savatage is an American heavy metal band founded by the brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1978 at Astro Skate in Tarpon Springs, Florida.
Lamb of God is an American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1994, the group consists of vocalist Randy Blythe, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell, and drummer Chris Adler. Ok this pisses me off. Besides Metallica, which is debatable, the next four bands are a7x, slipknot, disturbed and korn. Where is pantera, slayer, lamb of god? In my opinion those should be the top 3 not crappy emo/nu metal hard rock like the stuff that's listed
Lamb of God over A7X. Seriously, who is voting here? Little 8th graders? Do you not realize the talent that Lamb of God possess? Randy is probably ten times the vocalist M. Shadows is.
LOG Is the most talented on the list. Obviously people think its little 8th graders voting but I'm in year 9. I know good music when I. Hear it
Who is voting on this page?! 14 year old kids? A7x, korn, slipnot suck!
LoG Metallica slayer megadeth dream theater should be top 5!
Theocracy is a Christian progressive power metal band founded in 2002 by Matt Smith of Athens, Georgia.
Korn is an American nu-metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The band's current lineup includes founding members Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Brian "Head" Welch, and Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, with the addition of Ray Luzier, who replaced the band's original member, David Silveria in 2007. Korn was originally formed by three of the members of the band L.A.P.D.
Korn is best known for their vocalist's aggressive tone and sometimes considered by some, "strange lyrics". The bands best known songs are "Freak on a Leash" and "Falling Away From Me". Their best known albums include their self titled album (1994), Life is Peachy (1996), Follow the Leader (1998), and Issues (1999). As much as I want to give this to Disturbed... I have to give it to Korn. Metallica copied off of other metal bands such as Juda Priest and black sabbath, in reality bringing nothing new to the table of metal. Bands such as cannibal corpse and Death were just too heavy for non metalhead. So when Korn came around they introduced something heavy enough for for REAL metal heads and something soft enough for non metal heads the perfect combination. And it is true if Korn never came around Slipknot would never have made it maybe not even disturbed. I love disturbed and Slipknot but THIS IS JUST THE COLD HARD TRUTH. And avenged sevenfold DEFINITELY would not have made it without KORN. Why are they even on this list they are closer to emo than ACTUAL metal.
No korn, no slipknot, fact!
Living Sacrifice is an American Christian metal band formed in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1989. Over the years, their music has evolved to encompass various styles, including thrash metal, death metal, and metalcore. They are considered pioneers in the Christian metal genre, known for their unflinching lyrics and complex compositions. Living Sacrifice has been influential not only in religious circles but also in the broader metal community.
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. Thrash as its finest
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. Overkill #56?... After dozens of mediocre bands, some of them not even metal? Shame on this list.
Staind was a post-grunge/alternative metal band formed in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1995. ...read more.
Manowar is an American heavy metal band from New York City, New York. Formed in 1980, the group is known for lyrics based on fantasy and mythology. Know what metal means. They made metal kid!
Tool is an American alternative metal/progressive metal band, that was formed in 1990.
The band is set together between Maynard James Keenan (Vocals), Danny Carey (Drums), Adam Jones (Guitar) and since 1995 Justin Chancellor (Bass).
The band is known for their influences from electronic sounds and their overly complex and strangely structured songs.
They released their debut album "Undertow" in 1993 and later put out other famous albums, like "Lateralus" and "10,000 Days".
The band has established a legacy as one of the most well-known and beloved progressive metal and alternative metal bands of all time. One of the most unique and influential acts of recent metal.
I know the pieces fit
Should be in top ten
Corrosion of Conformity is an American heavy metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina formed in 1982. For almost the majority of its existence, the band has consisted of guitarist Woody Weatherman, bassist Mike Dean, drummer Reed Mullin and vocalist and rhythm guitarist Pepper Keenan.
Five Finger Death Punch, often shortened to Five Finger or Death Punch, also abbreviated as 5FDP or FFDP, is an American metal band from Las Vegas, Nevada. Formed in 2005, the band's name comes from the kung fu movie The Five Fingers of Death. Their songs have emotion and meaning and they deliver it through their music.
Come on this should be in the top 5!
Cannibal Corpse is a American death metal band from Buffalo, New York, formed in 1988. The band is known for their graphic album covers, explicitly violent lyrics and song titles like "I C** Blood" The group got into mainstream after performing the song "Hammer Smashed Face" in the 1994 film Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. In 1995, vocalist Chris Barnes left the band to focus on his new death metal project Six Feet Under. He was replaced by George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher of the band Monstrosity, who has remained as the frontman since.
The band is also known for being banned in Germany, Australia, Russia, etc. The group discontinued the graphic album covers in 2006 and continue to perform and release new material.
One of the earliest death metal bands, Cannibal Corpse is often cited as a major influence for the subgenre and is the world's best selling death metal band, with about two million copies sold worldwide as of 2015. This should be in the top ten, this shows true American brutal death metal band
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.
Their musical style has been a subject of change with each album. Ember to Inferno is noted for being Metalcore, with all of their later work having a lot of influence based on Thrash Metal. From their fourth album, Shogun, and onward, Trivium started incorporating elements of Progressive Metal and Traditional Heavy Metal throughout much of their songs. Diverse and ever-evolving. Extremely talented musicians.
Because Trivium kicks all of the others asses.