Top 10 Best Masked Metal Artists

1. 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

   Nu Metal...? I hate these 87 new genres that someone had to create. They are a simple nine-member band (with a drummer, percussionist, singer, DJ, two bassists, three guitarists, and millions of 'maggots'!) that plays heavy, rhythmic, melodic, fast, epic, and genius metal. How's that for self-centered, music-genre-creating, control freak people? Ahem, sorry...a little glitch I sometimes get.

   Just listen to a hidden extra track, somewhere between their first album, M.F.K.R. (Mate, Feed, Kill, Repeat). It's called 'Eeyore'...I think. That should say it all about how good they are! I have been following these guys since they had a video on a regular TV music show called The Box. They should have their top 10 list with only them on it!

2. Ghost

   

   Ghost is a Swedish heavy metal band that was formed in Linköping in 2008. The band features five masked instrumentalists known as the Nameless Ghouls and a lead character known as Papa Emeritus. Each album cycle introduces a new iteration of Papa Emeritus, though all are portrayed by frontman Tobias... read more

   Traditional heavy metal/doom metal band from Sweden. The lead singer is a demonic anti-pope, while the instrumentalists wear masks and hoods. The names and faces remain a mystery, but the band gained attention from Dave Grohl, who became a session drummer, producer, and maybe even a live drummer.

3. Mushroomhead

   

   Mushroomhead is an American nu metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in 1993 in the Cleveland Warehouse District, the band is known for their avant-garde sound, which combines heavy metal, art rock, and electro-industrial influences. They are also recognized for their elaborate masks, costumes, and... read more

   Such an explosive band! Although they have been around for a while, they don't get the love they deserve!

   Alternative/industrial/nu metal band from America. Like Slipknot, they simply wear masks for shock value.

4. 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

   Progressive avant-garde metal. He is known for a white mask and a KFC bucket on his head, while shredding for hours at a time.

5. Lordi

   

   Lordi is a Finnish hard rock and heavy metal band formed in 1992 by lead singer, songwriter, and costume designer Mr. Lordi. The band is known for its elaborate monster-themed costumes and theatrical stage performances. Lordi gained international fame after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006... read more

   They're a great band, and they helped get me into heavy metal. They're also the reason why I'm obsessed with wearing masks!

   Traditional heavy metal/shock metal band from Finland. They lean on a hard rock/heavy metal sound, with the use of horror lyrics and pyrotechnics.

6. Gwar

   

   Gwar, often stylized as GWAR, is an American heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, in 1984. The band features a rotating cast of musicians, artists, and filmmakers who perform as part of the collective known as Slave Pit Inc. Known for their elaborate sci-fi inspired costumes and theatrical... read more

   Thrash metal/comedy/shock metal band from America. They dress like aliens and often "kill" celebrities on stage.

   GWAR dominates this list! All these other bands must kneel before the almighty GWAR!

7. Mudvayne

   

   Mudvayne was an American nu-metal and alternative metal band that formed in Peoria, Illinois, in 1996. Although originally from Bloomington, Illinois, the band became known for its unique musical style and theatrical performances. They used experimental sounds, innovative album art, and distinctive visuals... read more

   I hear people saying they are the worst metal band of all time, but I personally think they are good. Songs like Dig, Not Falling, Happy?, and World So Cold are what grabbed my attention from this band. If you are interested, check them out!

   Also, they change costumes sometimes. If you are one of those people who think they should stick with their original costumes, look over it, I guess? Really, they are very good if you can get into their unique screams and guitar shreds.

8. Ghoul

   

   Ghoul is a thrash and death metal band from Oakland, California. While the members' actual identities are meant to remain concealed, it is known that current or former members have also played in bands such as Impaled, Dystopia, Wolves in the Throne Room, Exhumed, Phobia, Asunder, and Morbosidad.

   Thrash/death metal band from America. They wear bags over their heads and play an aggressive, evil-sounding blend of thrash and death metal.

9. Hollywood Undead

   

   Hollywood Undead is an American rap-rock band from Los Angeles, California. They released their debut album Swan Songs on September 2, 2008, followed by the live CD/DVD Desperate Measures on November 10, 2009. Their second studio album, American Tragedy, was released on April 5, 2011. All band members... read more

   My personal favorite for many reasons, from the music to the masks, this band is for everyone!

   I love Hollywood Undead. They are awesome.

10. The Berzerker

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Motograter

12. ?

    Mgła

The Contenders

13. Ventana

14. Underlined

15. Immortal

    

    Immortal is a black metal band from Bergen, Norway, founded in 1990 by frontman and bassist Abbath Doom Occulta and guitarist Demonaz Doom Occulta. The band became one of the most prominent in the Norwegian black metal scene of the 1990s. Despite several lineup changes and hiatuses, Immortal continues... read more

16. XIII

17. Slaughter to Prevail

    

    How I forgot them, they are my favorite technical death metal band, or specifically, technical deathcore.

18. The Locust

    

    The Locust is a musical group from San Diego, California, United States, known for their unique mix of grindcore speed and aggression, complexity, and new wave weirdness. The band formed in 1994 and is noted for their chaotic live performances and insect-themed stage outfits. They have been influential... read more

    Grindcore/mathcore/noise metal band. They are very experimental, with some grindcore albums, some noise rock albums, and a mathcore album.

19. Terror Universal

    My, my, god, amazing masks, epic songs! Plus, they are an amazing supergroup band. They are an excellent masked metal band, and I love that they are a brilliant metal band ever.

20. Portal

21. Terrorbyte

    Most underrated band of all time! They deserve more love than they get.

22. Daft Punk

    

    Daft Punk was a French electronic music duo composed of Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter. They were known for their innovative approach to electronic music, blending house, funk, and techno elements. Daft Punk achieved international fame with hits like Around the World, One More Time,... read more

23. Iperyt

    

24. The Residents

    

    The Residents are an American art collective best known for avant-garde music and multimedia works. Since their first official release, Meet the Residents, the group has released over sixty albums, numerous music videos and short films, three CD-ROM projects, and ten DVDs... read more

25. Batushka

    Batushka is an insanely good occult/black metal band from Poland. Definitely worth checking out!

26. Hevisaurus

    

27. Ten Masked Men

    British death metal cover band who specialize in covering pop songs. The band adopted wearing masks as it was felt that a masked appearance would fit in well with the idea of playing covers, and with the band name, of course.

    My favorite covers that put a smile on my face: Stayin' Alive (Bee Gees), Hot Stuff (Donna Summer).