Best German Metal Bands

The Top Ten

  1. Blind Guardian

    Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in West Germany. They are widely credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power and speed metal subgenres. Heavily influenced by Queen, they use the technique of overdubbing and incorporate extensive orchestral... read more

    Definitely the best. This is an elite metal band - they are perfectionists in both the studio and live. Complex songs and arrangements. Nothing commercial.

    They are the only metal band I know that has been improving over time - every next album is better than the previous one. Altogether, 10 albums and almost 30 years of exemplary musicianship. The only metal band that has never disappointed me.

    I just listened to their 2015 album and, like many times before, I thought it was their best. Similarly to other people, I'm also beginning to think that Blind Guardian is comparable to Maiden and Priest in terms of quality and consistency.

    One of the greatest bands of all time. They have a unique sound, great songs, an extraordinarily great singer, and not a single bad record. Totally deserve the first place.

  2. Kreator

    Kreator is a German thrash metal band from Essen, formed in 1982. Along with Destruction, Sodom, and Tankard, they are part of the "Big Four" of Teutonic thrash metal. Kreator is credited with influencing early death and black metal and has released several landmark albums, including Pleasure to Kill... read more

    Although they have had bumps throughout their career like many other bands, their early stuff was amazing with albums like Persecution Mania and Agent Orange.

    If there's one thing that the Germans know how to do, it's play thrash metal.

    One of the best thrash metal bands! Germany has a kick-ass metal scene!

  3. Rammstein

    Rammstein is a German Neue Deutsche Härte and industrial metal band formed in 1994 in Berlin. The band consists of Till Lindemann (vocals), Richard Kruspe (guitar), Paul Landers (guitar), Oliver Riedel (bass), Christoph Schneider (drums), and Christian Lorenz (keyboard).... read more

    Rammstein is one of the best Industrial Metal bands. They have amazing lyrics if you get around to translating them. The lead singer, Till, is hilarious and odd, and the guitar and beat in general really hit hard. They're awesome.

  4. Helloween

    Helloween is a German power metal band founded in 1984 in Hamburg, Northern Germany. The band is a pioneering force in the power metal genre, and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I and Part II, are considered masterpieces of the genre. The group has continued to release... read more

    Helloween! The pioneers of German power metal! They created a whole scene! These guys are legends! Either with Kiske, Kai, or Deris! I don't know why everyone fights over the singers.

    Helloween is the very best German metal band. Most inspiring and well-known. Gods of power metal!

  5. Sodom

    Sodom is a German thrash metal band from Gelsenkirchen, formed in 1981. Over the years, the band has undergone numerous lineup changes, with bassist and vocalist Tom Angelripper remaining the only constant member. Sodom is considered one of the big four of Teutonic thrash metal alongside Kreator, Destruction... read more

    Putting Rammstein above Sodom is a disgrace. They made cool black metal in their early career and then put out some awesome thrash.

  6. Obscura

    Obscura is a German technical and progressive death metal band formed in 2002. The band gained prominence when former members of Necrophagist and Pestilence joined founder Steffen Kummerer for its second album, Cosmogenesis. The band's name was inspired by the album Obscura by Gorguts.

    An awesome band in their subgenres - technical and progressive death metal. Currently, one of my most favorite metal bands.

    Some seriously talented musicians and songwriters.

  7. Accept

    Accept is a German heavy metal band from Solingen, originally assembled by vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, guitarist Wolf Hoffmann, and bassist Peter Baltes. The band rose to prominence in the 1980s with albums such as Balls to the Wall and Metal Heart. Accept is considered one of the pioneers of the German... read more

    There are no words that can describe how great this band is! Just listen to their music, and you will feel the ultimate awesomeness!

    My first taste of German Metal, Accept is the best in the business.

    Accept is not only the best German metal band ever, they are the best European metal band ever (of course, not counting the British ones).

  8. Destruction

    Destruction is a German thrash metal band. They are considered one of the "Big Four" of the German thrash metal scene, along with Kreator, Sodom, and Tankard. The band has been active since the early 1980s and remains influential in the genre.

    Should be much higher. Release from Agony is a masterpiece.

  9. Scorpions

    Scorpions are a German rock band formed in 1965 in Hanover by guitarist Rudolf Schenker. Vocalist Klaus Meine and guitarist Michael Schenker joined several years later. Michael Schenker was succeeded by Uli Jon Roth, while Matthias Jabs became the band's lead guitarist in 1978. The band first gained... read more

    They are actually hard rock, but these guys made it so far! One of the most classic bands! I went to their concert in July, and it was mind-blowing! And every record is a classic!

    In fact, they are more of a hard rock band than a metal band. But songs like "He's a Woman - She's a Man," "Dynamite," "Now!" and many more are so full of energy that the Scorpions should also be higher on this list.

    They are an incredible band. I grew up listening to their music, and it will always bring me good memories. Also, Klaus Meine (their lead singer) is 70, and he still rocks! Hopefully, they keep rocking for many more years.

  10. 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. The band has released multiple albums and is known for its influence on the European metal scene. Hansen's work with Gamma Ray helped define... read more

    Master Kai Hansen, after leaving the legendary band Helloween, created another legendary band, Gamma Ray. That's enough to say, I guess.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    ColdWorld

  12. ?

    Lord of the Lost

    13. The Contenders

  13. Primal Fear

    Primal Fear is a German metal band formed in 1997 by Ralf Scheepers and Mat Sinner. They are known for playing heavy metal, power metal, and speed metal, with a style often compared to Judas Priest, though Primal Fear is generally faster and heavier. The band features dual lead guitars, and Ralf Scheepers... read more

    A band with no weak spots - godly singer, awesome twin lead guitars, sick drummer with fast double bass, great bassist and talented songwriter.

    All band members are masters at what they do. Their most recent album (2014) was amazing too, so they proved quality and consistency.

    Songs: Strike, All for One, Rebel Faction, Diabolus, King for a Day, The Man (That I Don't Know).

    One of the best power metal bands! So underrated!

    Excellent band. Very talented guys.

  14. Edguy

    Edguy is a heavy metal band from Fulda, Germany, founded in 1992 by 14-year-old students Tobias Sammet, Jens Ludwig, Dominik Storch, and Dirk Sauer. The band gained popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s with its power metal sound. Tobias Sammet later founded the successful metal opera project... read more

  15. Avantasia

    Avantasia is a German metal opera supergroup project created by Tobias Sammet, the vocalist of the band Edguy. The project began in 1999 and features a rotating cast of guest musicians and vocalists. Avantasia is known for its elaborate concept albums and live performances that blend power metal and... read more

    Best. Supergroup. To. Ever. Form. I mean, Tobi is a hell of a talented man! Every Avantasia and Edguy song is totally epic! Their new album Ghostlights rocks!

  16. Ahab

  17. Oomph!

    Oomph! is a German industrial metal band formed in Wolfsburg, Germany, in 1989. The band is considered one of the pioneers of the German Neue Deutsche Härte movement. Their music blends heavy guitar riffs with electronic elements and socially charged lyrics.

  18. Powerwolf

    Powerwolf is a German power metal band created in 2003 by Charles and Matthew Greywolf. The group is notable for having dark themes and imagery, both musically and lyrically. Their theatrical live performances and use of religious and horror motifs have become trademarks of their style.

    How is Powerwolf this low? It's the second-best metal band. Only Sabaton is better, though Amon Amarth, Epica, Kamelot, and Iron Maiden come close. Still, it's ultimately the best German metal band.

    I don't like music about religion, but they make it so good that I have to listen to it.

  19. Eisbrecher

    Eisbrecher is a German Neue Deutsche Härte band primarily composed of Alexander Wesselsky and Noel Pix. They are joined by Jürgen Plangger, Rupert Keplinger, and Achim Färber during live performances. The band was founded in 2003 after Wesselsky's departure from Megaherz and is known for combining... read more

  20. The Ocean

    The Ocean is a progressive metal band started in 2000 by German guitarist Robin Staps. The band is also known as The Ocean Collective due to its rotating lineup of musicians. Its music combines elements of metal, progressive rock, and post-metal.

    The Ocean is great! Some of the greatest post-metal you will ever find!

  21. Necrophagist

    Necrophagist was a German technical death metal band founded in 1992 by guitarist and vocalist Muhammed Suiçmez. The band released two acclaimed albums, Onset of Putrefaction and Epitaph, known for their complex guitar work and neoclassical influences. Necrophagist disbanded in 2010.

    Are you kidding? Should be at least 4 or 5... My top is 1. Kreator, 2. Sodom, 3. Necrophagist, 4. Obscura, 5. Destruction.

  22. Joachim Witt

  23. Darkseed

  24. Equilibrium

    Equilibrium is a German folk metal band known for blending multiple metal subgenres. The band's music incorporates elements of folk music, power metal, black metal, and symphonic metal, often accompanied by epic and mythological themes. Formed in 2001, Equilibrium has released several albums and built... read more

  25. Leaves' Eyes

    Leaves' Eyes is a symphonic metal band with German and Norwegian roots, based in Stavanger, Norway and Ludwigsburg, Germany. The band was formed in 2003 and is known for combining classical female vocals with metal instrumentation and Viking-themed lyrics. It was originally fronted by Liv Kristine and... read more

  26. Megaherz

  27. 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

    I was expecting them to be higher, so they get my vote for now.

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