Top 10 Best American Metal Bands

You've thrown horns in the pit. You've maybe even terrified your neighbors just by cranking the volume a little too high. This is your moment to sound off on the American metal bands that brought the chaos, cranked the double bass, and melted more faces than the Ark of the Covenant.

These are the bands that tore up stages, shredded through genres, and left your neck sore from headbanging. The ones who didn't just play music, they set fire to it. Maybe you were converted by a wailing solo, or maybe it was that one track that hit like a freight train during your worst day and made everything feel raw and alive.

Whatever lit the fuse for you, now's your chance to weigh in. Scroll through, vote up your favorites, and shape a list built by riffs and raised fists.

1. Metallica

   

   Metallica is an American heavy and thrash metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup included James Hetfield (vocals and rhythm guitar), Dave Mustaine (lead guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), and Ron McGovney (bass). They first gained mainstream fame with their 1991 self-titled album (The Black Album... read more

   They may all be good, but compared to Metallica, all of these bands are amateurs. Fact. If it wasn't for Metallica, none of them would exist. Hands down, the best band, metal or not. They really know how to write music, especially by today's standards.

   And they're doing the best they can considering how old they are now, with some of their songs being 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 it's an extremely underrated album. Just listen to "All Nightmare Long," it's so awesome!

2. Megadeth

   

   Megadeth is an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. The band was formed in 1983 by guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson, shortly after Mustaine was dismissed from Metallica. They have released 17 studio albums and have undergone numerous lineup changes, with Mustaine... read more

   This band is just awesome. I just love them. Can't believe they're so low on the list!

   *Ahem* Did we forget Megadeth is an American band?

   Very speedy and full of great solos. Megadeth is the best American band.

3. Avenged Sevenfold

   

   Avenged Sevenfold is an American alternative metal band formed in 1999 in California. Their longest lineup consisted of M. Shadows (vocals), Synyster Gates (lead guitar), Zacky Vengeance (rhythm guitar), Johnny Christ (bass guitar), and The Rev (drums).... read more

   M. Shadows is a one-of-a-kind vocalist, and I love his higher vocal range and falsetto. He can growl like any other metal band, which, in my opinion, is better than James Hetfield and Corey Taylor. This makes A7X better than Metallica, but I agree Metallica should top them because Metallica is one of my favorite metal bands ever. Dream Theater should be in second place.

   Slipknot is a great band with a bunch of great songs, but Avenged Sevenfold is Avenged Sevenfold, with such awesome guitarists, a superb vocalist, and the world's best drummer. RIP Jimmy.

4. Pantera

   

   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 replacing their original lead vocalist and enlisting Phil Anselmo, they signed a major record deal with... read more

   Pantera is the best. Rex is a badass bassist. Vinnie Paul can wail on the drums and has an amazing sound. You know his drumming. Phil is the greatest frontman, hands down. I just saw PHA and the Illegals. Awesome. But Dimebag is metal. He's the best. Period. Notice metal fell off after that idiot ruined it.

   I saw Pantera along with most of the bands on 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.

5. Slayer

   

   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 are considered one of the Big Four of thrash metal, along with Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax.... read more

   Why is Slayer not number one? They are definitely the best thrash metal band, and both Megadeth and Metallica are thrash. Slayer has released the best thrash metal album (Reign in Blood) and definitely deserve to be number one.

   My list:

   1. Slayer

   2. Megadeth

   3. Dio

   Every member is incredibly influential and brought something unique to metal.

6. Slipknot

   

   Slipknot is an American metal band that formed in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1996. They're recognized as a key force in the New Wave of American Alternative Metal from the late 1990s through the 2000s. The band is also known for their black and 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 songs, in my opinion, are Eyeless, My Plague, or Wait and Bleed. The best album is Slipknot. If you like Nu-Metal, go on iTunes and check them out.

   Slipknot should be higher than Avenged Sevenfold. They should be in the top 3!

7. Dio

   

   Dio was an American heavy metal band formed in 1982 by vocalist Ronnie James Dio after he left Black Sabbath. The band was also co-founded by drummer Vinny Appice, who had played alongside Dio in Black Sabbath. Dio released several acclaimed albums, including Holy Diver and The Last in Line, and remained... read more

   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.

   With vocals like that, Dio is the boss. Plus, he was in Black Sabbath, and I love them.

8. Death

   

   Death was an American death metal band formed in 1983 by Chuck Schuldiner. The band is widely considered one of the most influential in heavy metal and a pioneer of the death metal genre. Their debut album, Scream Bloody Gore, is widely regarded as one of the first death metal records. Death released... read more

   Death made 7 decent albums (many of them much more than decent) while 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 proficiency, very good lyrics (towards the end of their career), and no sellouts. Chuck Schuldiner was always true to metal, making brilliant music and giving metal a new meaning, and for that, I thank him.

   Recommended songs: Crystal Mountain, Misanthrope, Zombie Ritual, Pull the Plug, Spirit Crusher, The Philosopher, Cosmic Sea, Flesh and the Power it Holds.

9. Dream Theater

   

   Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in Boston, Massachusetts. The band was formed in 1985 under the name "Majesty," later changing it to Dream Theater. The original lineup consisted of John Petrucci on guitar, John Myung on bass, and Mike Portnoy on drums.... 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.

   Why only fifth place? I mean, the others are all pretty cool, but DT gives us chills, gives us masterpieces, and makes us believe they're gods. Yay.

   Listen to the Falling into Infinity album!

10. Anthrax

    

    Anthrax is an American thrash metal band from New York City, formed in 1981 by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker. The band is considered one of the Big Four of thrash metal, alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth. They are known for albums such as Among the Living and for helping pioneer... read more

    They should easily be top 10. Joey Belladonna and Scott Ian are legendary together.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Corrosion of Conformity

    

    Corrosion of Conformity is an American heavy metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina, formed in 1982. Its classic lineup featured guitarist Woody Weatherman, bassist Mike Dean, drummer Reed Mullin, and vocalist and rhythm guitarist Pepper Keenan. Weatherman has remained the band's sole constant member... read more

12. ?

    Staind

    

    Staind is a post-grunge and alternative metal band formed in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1995. The band's current lineup consists of Aaron Lewis on vocals and guitar, Johnny April on bass, Mike Mushok on guitar, and Sal Giancarelli on drums. Original drummer Jon Wysocki left in 2011, and Giancarelli... read more

The Contenders

13. System of a Down

    

    System of a Down, formed in 1994, is an Armenian-American alternative metal band from Glendale, California. The band name is sometimes shortened to System or SOAD. They're known for their politically charged lyrics, often addressing topics such as genocide and war, in songs like Holy Mountains, Prison... read more

14. Korn

    

    Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The band's lineup includes founding members Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Brian "Head" Welch, and Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, along with Ray Luzier, who replaced original drummer David Silveria. Fieldy has been on... read more

    As much as I want to give this to Disturbed, I have to give it to Korn. Metallica copied other metal bands such as Judas Priest and Black Sabbath, bringing nothing new to the table of metal. Bands like Cannibal Corpse and Death were just too heavy for non-metalheads. When Korn came around, they introduced something heavy enough for real metalheads and soft enough for non-metalheads - the perfect combination.

    It is true that if Korn never came around, Slipknot and maybe even Disturbed would never have made it. I love Disturbed and Slipknot, but this is just the cold hard truth. 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.

15. Iced Earth

    

    Iced Earth is an American heavy metal band from Tampa, Florida. It was formed in 1984 under the name the 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.... read more

16. Lamb of God

    

    Lamb of God is an American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1994 under the name Burn the Priest, the band includes Randy Blythe on vocals, Mark Morton and Willie Adler on guitars, John Campbell on bass, and Art Cruz on drums. Chris Adler departed the band in 2019 and was replaced by... read more

    Lamb of God is the most talented on the list. Obviously, people think it's little 8th graders voting, but I'm in year 9. I know good music when I hear it.

    Linkin Park is on this list? Awful. That's why I voted for LOG. They're the best, and people need to realize it.

    It's called "Pure American Metal" for a reason. They NEED to be number 1.

17. Savatage

    

    Savatage is an American heavy metal band founded by brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. The group was initially called Avatar before changing its name to Savatage. It went on to gain recognition for its symphonic and progressive metal style.

18. Tool

    

    Tool is an American alternative and progressive metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1990.

    The lineup includes Maynard James Keenan on vocals, Danny Carey on drums, Adam Jones on guitar, and Justin Chancellor on bass, who joined in 1995. The band is recognized for incorporating electronic influences... read more

    One of the most unique and influential acts in recent metal.

19. Exodus

    

    Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1979 in Richmond, California. Over a career spanning more than 45 years, Exodus has undergone numerous lineup changes and two extended hiatuses. The band is considered part of the Bay Area thrash metal scene.

20. Testament

    

    Testament is an American thrash metal band from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1983 under the name Legacy, the band currently consists of vocalist Chuck Billy, guitarists Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick, bassist Steve Di Giorgio, and drummer Chris Dovas. Testament's lineup has varied over the years... read more

    These guys should be number one. Have you heard Alex Skolnick's solos? They are probably the best solos in the genre.

21. Theocracy

    

    Theocracy is a Christian progressive power metal band founded in 2002 by Matt Smith in Athens, Georgia. Originally a one-man project, Smith performed all the instruments and vocals on the band's self-titled debut album. Theocracy later expanded into a full lineup and has released five studio albums,... read more

22. Living Sacrifice

    

    Living Sacrifice is an American Christian metal band formed in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1989. Their musical style spans thrash metal, death metal, groove metal, and metalcore, evolving over the years while maintaining an aggressive sound. They are considered pioneers in Christian metal and are known... read more

23. Overkill

    

    Overkill is an American thrash metal band formed in 1980 in New Jersey. The band has gone through many lineup changes, with singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni remaining the only original members.

    The current lineup includes Ellsworth, Verni, lead guitarist Dave Linsk, rhythm... read more

    Overkill at #56? After dozens of mediocre bands, some of them not even metal? Shame on this list.

24. Mastodon

    

    Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. The band was formed in early 2000 by Troy Sanders on bass, Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher on guitars, and Brann Dailor on drums. Hinds left the group in March 2025, ending the lineup's 24-year run, and died in a motorcycle collision later... read more

25. Five Finger Death Punch

    

    Five Finger Death Punch, often abbreviated as 5FDP or FFDP, is an American heavy metal band from Las Vegas, Nevada. Formed in 2005, the band's name was inspired by the martial arts film Five Fingers of Death. They released their debut album, The Way of the Fist, in 2007.

    Their songs have emotion and meaning, and they deliver it through their music.

    Come on, this should be in the top 5!

26. Manowar

    

    Manowar is an American heavy metal band from Auburn, New York, formed in 1980. The group is known for lyrics inspired by fantasy, mythology, and epic themes. Its music is commonly associated with heavy metal and power metal. The band is also known for its distinctive slogan, "Death to false metal."

27. Deftones

    

    Deftones are an American alternative metal band from Sacramento, California. Formed in 1988, the band's current members are Chino Moreno, Stephen Carpenter, Frank Delgado, and Abe Cunningham. Former bassist Sergio Vega performed with the group from 2009 to 2021.... read more

    Much more than your average metal band, they bring many flavors.

    A largely talented and underrated band.