Top 10 Best Metal Bands of All Time

METALLICA! That's sums it all. World of metal would never be the same without them. They've been through it all, creating masterpieces, even had their downfall. Yet they still came back strong with stuffs like Death Magnetic. They've played pure thrash, heavy metal, ballads etc.. You name it. Black Sabbath influenced them but that's can't be a reason why they can't be better. Nobody can deny their epic products especially in 80s.. Ride The Lightning and Master of Puppets is truly masterpieces. Megadeth, Black Sabbath, Slayer, Pantera, Judas, Anthrax, Ozzy, should be place higher or at least in top 10. X Japan is a great band but their place is unacceptable. Newer band such as A7X, Disturbed, Lamb of God, Slipknot & COB should be in the list but definitely not in top 10. G&R, Korn not even metal in my humble opinion. Linkin Park can GTFO & kiss every single band asses.. Should be write off forever.

My favorite band of all time. Metallica is the band that not only made me love metal, they got me into hard rock as a whole. Although they weren't my favorite band during my teenage years, as an adult I found so many of their songs to be relatable and containing some of the deepest meanings I've ever heard from anyone, and they ultimately have become my favorite band again and have remained since. Couple their writing with one of the most talented frontmen ever in James Hetfield and a criminally underrated guitarist in Kirk Hammett, and you have the heart and soul of metal, a band that sung universal songs, excelled in doing different styles of metal, and revolutionized music forever.

Metallica, despite blessing the planet with metal's greatest genre and its 5 greatest albums, are an easy target for the envious judging by this thread. They're deemed as overrated sell outs, Nothing Else Matters but cash grabbers - you name it, they're it. Here's some home truths for the haters: no matter what you say or think or do, Metallica's first 5 albums have already been deemed the greatest by almost every major publication on the planet, and no band can determine the outcome of their own success. How many bands fall flat on their faces? Millions. Thrash itself was a major risk to take for them, and then to release the incredible Black album was a major risk, but they had the intestinal fortitude and belief to do what no-one else would - gamble everything. Guess what haters? They hit the jackpot like no other.

For the record, Metallica weren't popular nor commercial. Their ambition from the start was to destroy the pompous, self-important twits that came before them. None of their first 5 albums were designed to be popular. They were technical as hell, lengthy, aggressive, and dealt with all manner of issues life throws at you. They invented an entire genre of metal on their own, created (only in hindsight) 5 of the greatest heavy metal albums you can own (6 if you want to include all their incredible covers) and influenced almost every band on the planet since. No band can lay claim to their achievements, and still, to this day, no band has bettered their style of thrash. Success chose them, not the other way round. What more can a band do? They say youth is wasted on the young, but Metallica's youth was the most inspired in metal history and shall never be rivalled. You can't be 25-years-of-age forever, so I ask no more from them, and neither should anyone else. The greatest band to ever ...more

Iron Maiden are one of the most revolutionary and original metal bands in the history of metal! Not only are they a huge role model for other bands such as Metallica but they are original in terms of lyrics and song meanings. Their songs aren't about sex and drugs but usually about mythical stories. Their signature songs captivate the audience with a slow and delicate introduction which jumps into a fitting arpeggio of melodies and riffs which makes up the concerts which are voted one of the best!

I've always thought of Iron Maiden as being kind of a weird band in the history of heavy metal. Sure most metal bands site them as a major influence, but they to this day, still stand out as being unique in a sea of heterogeneity. Despite their massive popularity it's not like there have been a lot of horse back galloping, twin harmonized lead guitar driven, bass guitar grounded, concert pitch metal bands in any of the eras proceeding Maiden's debut in the late 70's. Maybe a little bit of Maiden can be heard in some of Metallica's better work (Orion), but for the most part their trademark sound was never adopted by anyone of note in the larger genre.

It should also be considered that unlike some of the bands on this list, Iron Maiden are huge around the world. Pretty much everywhere there's electricity. New Iron Maiden fans are being created every day. I wonder if Avenged Sevenfold will have this kind of reach 20 years from now. Actually, I don't wonder. It is the style of ...more

This band Iron Maiden for sure IS the best metal band to exist, simply for this reason: They are the most prolific in "catchy tunes".
You don't judge music on image, coolness, lyrics, or other peripheral meaningless crap, you judge music on MUSIC. Is the tune catchy. That's why Elvis, Michael Jackson, and Madonna are legends.
Most bands have only a few catchy songs they get famous on, if any at all, but Iron Maiden figured it out and puts out catchy tune after catchy tune. Megadeth and Metallica has figured it out too, but not like Maiden. They have so many!
Especially in their guitar. I suggest for example Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, Afraid to Shoot Strangers, and Infinite Dreams.

Metallica is really a great band, they showed me what is metal... but they are the most commercial and overrated metal band ever, and in my opinion they are not the best metal band

I think IRON MAIDEN is the best metal band because they had a great sound that many people still like, and they now make great songs!
They only have competition with Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, those three bands are legends in heavy metal!

They have many great albums (The Number of the Beast, Powerslave, Piece of Mind, Killers... ), great songs (The Number of the Beast, Hallowed Be Thy Name, The Trooper, Killers... ), great band members (Bruce, Steve, Adrian, Dave and Nicko), great covers, great solos... UP THE IRONS!

The greatest metal band of all time. Ozzy Osbourne quite literally created heavy metal. This group deserves the #1 spot on the list.

Black Sabbath, without them half these band out here would not exist. They were the founders of the original "heavy sound", go listen to albums "Black Sabbath", "Masters of Reality, "Paranoid", and "Vol.4" and tell me they don't belong in first place. Black Sabbath basically started that gloomy sound which led to the creation of the metal sounds. They have been proven consistent even to this day with their new album "13". What did Avenged Sevenfold create? From what I heard their new album is basically a rip off of the Black Album by Metallica. Black Sabbath was origin and innovative at a time where there where no other bands like them. They all came from a working class in a working town and it shows the grit in he music. Tony Iommi played with two fingertips being cut off, while Ozzy was beyond scientific marvel on the amount of drugs and alcohol he was on and yet produced some of metals best albums.

The thing that people overlook about Black Sabbath is that they knew how to *not* play loud. The real genius behind Black Sabbath is that they fully understood the importance of intensity, and loudness. You look at the wave-form of an original CD release of War Pigs for instance (in Audacity perhaps), you can see visually how the band builds up slowly, there is room for the instruments to breathe, and why the second time around (Now in darkness world stops turning), seems more intense, because they held back the first time. It is something that should be taught to every mixer, sound manager, hell, every musician even. Learn from Black Sabbath. Black Sabbath didn't just invent heavy metal, they invented heavy metal *music*. Think about that.

This is the band that started all metal; nay, they perfected it and rewarded the world with some of the best music ever. Black Sabbath is awesome. I'm a fourteen-year-old Filipino, and for a young age, I already have a super musical taste with hundreds of complete discographies ranging from 6os bands to 2000s. And I must say, when I hear Black Sabbath's master works, I go headbanging and wondering at the same time, why recent bands with more access to technology couldn't create the same hard-hitting special sound of Sabbath. This mega band and Metallica are the only competitors for the top metal bands. By the way, Vol. 4 is one of the greatest albums ever made, and is perchance the greatest metal album ever. Just listen to "Under The Sun", you'll find the heaviest, doomiest, gravest and most spectacular musical piece. Cheers from great Asia. Even in these remote places, good music comes through.

Best metal band of all times for sure, their master piece " Rust in Peace " album redefined the thrash metal genre in more technical and complex riffs besides the wonderful guitar solo works for both Dave and Marty. Also, their " Peace Sells " album is considered one of the heaviest metal albums of all time considering the 80s (even heavier than Metallica's Master of Puppets" besides, Lars Ulrich admits that he liked Peace Sells. The guitar work in all their albums, including Risk, is brilliant if you just pay extra attention to it, Dave Mustaine is truly guitar genius, if he continued in Metallica, I believe, there will not be a Big Four or anything, there will be only the one!

I agree with many of the opinions on some of the top bands on here. Metallica has been through it all, but they have a lot more to dislike than some of these other bands. Top three? Sure. Iron Maiden is another arguable top notch contender. Bruce Dickinson is a mighty, mighty metal God. Other greats include Black Sabbath (we're talking the birth of metal here), Slayer, Judas Priest, Dio, Pantera, Anthrax (to a somewhat least extent). I have problems with some of the others mentioned. Slipknot was great, maybe even top 25, but come on, they fell off after their first few albums. Led is an amazing band but I can't throw them in the metal category. Same with so many others that flirt with metal (Tool, Dream Theater, System of a Down, Motorhead as a few examples). I'm trying to think of straight balls to the f'in wall metal. No experimental or progressive in my post. If we included them we'd have to include so many others. I'm not saying Megadeth is better OVERALL than Led, but when it ...more

Of course, Megadeth is the best of metal, no other band can compete with Dave Mustaine's Spider riff, Marty Friedman's unique Asian music style solos, and Nick Menza's killer drum beats and drum fills. Metallica is also great but not as technical as Megadeth, Lars is too overrated, he play the drums like 4 year old kid, after all the beats he came up with, the song One is probably the only good one he made. Metallica had the best metal bass player Cliff Burton, unfortunately he was killed in a bus accident, if he is still alive, Metallica might get a chance to beat Megadeth. Kirk Harmet can play fast, but that's all he can do with guitars, no melody, no rhythm, but he did came up with few good riffs, and every guitar solo Kirk made sounds exactly the same! James Hetfield is probably my favourite member of Metallica, because I reckon he is the best metal singer.

They've had the greatest guitar virtuosos in metal, an exotic, neoclassical-rock style player, a free jazz player, a flamenco style guitarist and an aggressive baroque sounding guitarist. In addition, Megadeth has created greatest masterpieces that steer cleer of Metallica's stupid verse-chorus-verse-chorus-wah solo-outro, this band has diversity and master musicianship you can hear on Good Mourning Black Friday, Looking Down The Cross, Sudden Death, Washington Is Next, Holy Wars and Hangar 18 and the rest of their magnificent discography. Metal gets no better than this, and Iron Maiden, Judas Priest are among these masters. Throw Metallica disks in the bin, they've made no good album in 24 years.

This is humiliation The Metal Gods should easily become number 1. If you have heard various metal legend bands you should understand. Saying Iron Maiden Gods of Metal? Are you kidding? They like happy metal than heavy metal only the mascot eddie (making them more popular and the font-logo) true metal horror but the music they are happy metal.

Judas had more evil sound, more technical, more various. Funny seeing Maiden fanboy say they revolutionary, what a joke! Their sound, lyrical theme, arrangement always same from the start and it's boring. Beside that Judas is most revolutionary Metal band ever, their has explorer multiple genre from blues rock, psychedelic rock, hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal, progressive metal, speed metal, thrash metal, groove metal, nu metal, even symphonic metal.

Don't forget Judas exist long before Maiden basically 70s band, their music and look-style is more influence for metal than Maiden. Maiden only one of other band from NWOBHM and not ...more

This is crazy
1 - Judas priest... Doesn't even need an explanation
2 - Megadeth... Marty Friedman Dave Mustaine = the greatest twin guitar combination of all time
3 - Motorhead... Lemmy is god
4 - Death... They have one of the greatest guitarists and basically started an entire genre
5 - Slayer... While every thrash band sold out these guys stayed true to their music
6 - Iron Maiden... One of the most influential metal bands
7 - Black Sabbath... They started it, they need recognition
8 - Venom... Helped get black metal started
9 - Testament... Amazing thrash band
10 - Metallica... Only because of killem all, ride the lightning and master of puppets... Other stuff can just not exist.
And why there is emo crap bands ahead of true metal gods... Well that's a complete mystery

I saw KISS back in '79 at Madison Square Garden. New England had opened for them. Later, I learned the opening band was supposed to have been Judas Priest, but because JP's star started rising, they no longer felt they needed to ride KISS' coattails anymore. New England sucked but the whole affair led me to exploring who JP was. The first album of theirs I got my hands in was Unleashed In The East: Live In Japan. It immediately blew me away - the singing, the riffs, the power seemed like no other. Little did I know that they would turn out to be among my top five favorite bands of all time which includes Rush and Yes.

They truly are the sad wings of destiny if Judas Priest can't ascend to either number 2 OR number 3 at the very least.
As for the band themselves: innovative, diverse, technically sublime and the vocals of Rob Halford binds all the brilliance together in a way unequaled by any other renowned Metal based vocal range.
Their music has evolved over the years with metal, it hasn't been stagnant like so many other bands have been; the Priest are seemingly not hindered by the fear of change.

Metallica may have been more popular, Megadeth may have been more lauded, Anthrax may have been more accessible, but no one reigns (pun intended) like Slayer does over thrash and metal's perspective in general. Both 'Show No Mercy' and 'Hell Awaits' are staples of the sub-genre and their early sound, and of course the trio of 'Reign in Blood', 'South of Heaven', and 'Seasons in the Abyss' redefined what metal is and how it exists today, specifically RIB.

Slayer was (is? Still going after 30+ years, still sounding great) never meant to be something that everyone loved, that people could wrap their arms around and embrace. No, Jeff and Kerry's shredding, Tom's ferocious vocal style, and Lombardo's beating double-kick had the listener in love or loathe. The riffs were as memorable as brutal, the solos fast as imitated following their wake, everything about Slayer was different from anything that metal had seen up until that point. They took it further than imaginable and in turn ...more

Tough choice, lot of great bands that can realistically be considered the greatest. I went with Slayer because I think they define what metal is more than any other band. Sabbath and Priest were pioneers, but still sounded very rock to me with a touch of metal. Maiden is huge and 100% metal, but I prefer something a bit heavier. Metallica is the king, biggest metal band ever, but they had a few albums that veered away from true metal and were a bit rockish in the 90's. They did return with authentic thrash though in their last album, Death Magnetic. Slayer, on the other hand, has never veered. They've stayed true to who they are, even if that meant selling far fewer albums than say Metallica. Slayer is thrash at it's finest and always heavy. Their new album, due out 9-11-15, sounds great so far. Repentless single is classic Slayer. Reign in bloodis possibly the greatest thrash album ever. Slayer has been around for over 30 years and still as great as ever. And just take one look at ...more

Sorry, Slayer fanboys. Metallica were there before you. I am a huge fan of Slayer's first 5 - atmospheric and diverse as hell - but Metallica define what thrash is and isn't, not Slayer. Yes, they have they're style, and they are without question in the top 4 thrash bands on the planet, and span generations like Metallica, Anthrax and Megadeth, but as great as their first 5 are, they're not as great as Metallica's first 5. It's hard to admit when you love a band that they're not on equal footing with the master, but unfortunately for Slayer fans, history has spoken.

Slayer has an energy that can't be replicated by so called "death" metal bands produce nothing but double bass and cookie monster vocals. They have brutal speed and talent on all instruments with great riffs and grooves. Bruce (Maiden) has great vocals, but when I need to hear intensity, nothing scratches that itch like Halford (Priest) or better yet Araya (Slayer).

Pantera is the only post 80s originating band that might belong here. Avenge Sevenfold, System of a Down, Slipknot laugh out loud, seriously? Many newbs voting here.

You know a band is good when it's nearly impossible to choose a favourite song by them. Dimebag Darell and Vinnie Paul were fantastic musicians.

Pantera is the Led Zeppelin of metal. They're not the first, not the last, had a short run, were total animals, and their songs were not mainstream. But they are the most PURE metal band to ever exist. If you're reading this and really haven't been exposed yet, do yourself a favor and put on ANY of their 5 albums, and tell me they aren't as good as your current favorite metal band. What separates them is the high energy (again, like Led Zeppelin is to rock) and talent of these 4 dudes. I wish I had seen them live, but I would've been scared to get caught in one of their mosh pits.

If your talking most popular than Metallica wins hands down. If your talking best metal band Pantera wins hands down. Was Phil in is time a better singer than James? By far. Dimebag was better than Kirk and James put together on guitar. Don't believe me than go learn some Dimebag licks if you can and then we will talk. Everybody can play like James or Kirk and make it sound the way they did. The only person could make Pantera sound the way is should sound is Dimebag. Go to utube and watch Pantera covering Metallica's No Remorse in 1988 and you will see Pantera play their own song better than them. Guess what if another band plays your song better than you do it's means their a better band. Pantrea could cover Mettalica songs all day long and it would probably sound better. If Metallica tried to cover Pantera songs it would be a total mess. People that don't know Pantera well don't understand the musical talent that was in that band.

Pantera were a glam band, a power metal band, and a thrash band. The only reason Pantera became a thrash band was because of Metallica. As for musicianship and output goes, Hammett was trained by Joe Satriani, Dave Mustaine has already been awarded the greatest guitarist of all time accolade, Cliff Burton was as good as Steve Harris, and James Hetfield's rhythms and lyrics moved mountains. The day Pantera invent a better genre than thrash and write 5 if its greatest albums is the day they're the greatest. Mimicry is the sincerest form of flattery.

Death needs to be in the top 5. I think the only reason they aren't is because people don't give them a chance just because they are categorized as "death metal". But Death isn't the kind of death metal that most people think of: where it's all just growling/screaming with satanic lyrics and horrible soundng guitars; Death (Chuck Schuldiner) makes GREAT solos and riffs and their songs actually have meaningful lyrics to them. For anyone who hasn't listened to them, I strongly urge to listen to these songs first to get a feel for them:

-Crystal Mountain
-Voice of the Soul
-Flesh and the Power It Holds
-Lack of Comprehension
-Empty Words
-Spirit Crusher
-Pull The Plug

...The list goes on. If you are new to death metal I recommend listening to the album "Symbolic" first, then "The Sound of Perseverance" as those are their more thrashy type albums.

This band is what defines metal music. It involves heavy riffs, awesome lyrics and many more. Chuck Schuldiner(R.I.P) was a total genius if you ask me. Death is one of those rare bands that's never released a bad album. They have so many hits, Pull the Plug, Left to die, Crystal Mountain, Spirit Crusher, Voice of the Soul,Zombie Ritual as the list continues. This band deserves one of the top 3. This band is the reason I started playing metal songs. The lyrics also have meaning to them including Spiritual Healing, a song about fake preaches faith healing patients when they know they don't possess such power. Death also includes acoustic instrumentals, which I think gives this band a balance as they give the fans different music. They are better than most music these days. Even if you hate death metal, give this band a chance, they are more than just blood & gore lyrics,growling.

The world came to know about the possibilities of extreme-genre music with the advent of Death in the late 1980s. With record-smashing albums like "Human" and"Scream Bloody Gore", they showed the world the best form of pure, unadulterated death metal. If it were not for God's whim to listen this pure form, Mr. Schuldiner would still be seen rocking over the world. As many, including me, clearly acknowledge him as the "Godfather of Death Metal", he was truly one of the greatest visionaries of metal music.

Anyone who hasn't heard of this band, I bid you look them up. Simply one of the greatest ever, and a pioneer of the death metal genre. They combined meaningful lyrics, and amazing instrumental. Some of their best works are "Pull the Plug, Crystal Mountain, Symbolic, Spirit Crusher, Scavenger of Human Sorrow, Voice of the Soul, and Sacred Serenity." Chuck was one of the greatest guitarists ever, up there with guys like Tony Iommi, Van Halen and Jimi Hendrix. Rest in peace Chuck.

I never felt this much comfort while listening to other metal musicians... This band gives me the feeling that there's always hope... But I should win it on my own... I mean come on, their lyricists are poets... They bleed their adventures to their songs... Look at "the count of tuscany", petrucci wrote that song because of he felt he's gonna be murdered that day by some count in Italy, while they were touring Europe.. And yet that song is a masterpiece... You should try this band... Don't rush it, give it time, take you time and feel the musicality.. You'll start to think about the true meaning of life..

Dream theater is second best in metal songs to me, but this poll doesn't seem to be fair. People who like different types of metal tend towards different bands. Dream theater songs are great in tune and actually have a lot of meaning in them compared to other bands which have songs talking about ways to die and other meaningless songs. Many DT songs send chills through me literally, like the start of outcry, hell's kitchen, nearing the end of goodnight kiss, if you know what I mean... While metallica to me... Can't be simply described. Their songs don't send chills through me and I don't really appreciate their lyrics as I do with DT, but their songs somehow have a great quality that keeps me listening to them. The first time I listened to enter sandman I repeatedly listened to it over and over again just because the whole song was so great. Their songs give me the classic, orthodox metal feeling that I like. This poll goes according to peoples taste for music, should have one for ...more

Well, in my opinion, Dream Theater are the best. Their music is the most amazing ever: guitar solos, bass, drums, and keyboard. However, all the members had won prices, such as the first guitarist in the world, first bassist, first drummer, first keyboardist. And still their keyboardist Jordan Rudess the number one wich he maid his own progressive keyboard. Plus, their 2011 "A Dramatic Turn Of Events"'s single "On The Backs Of Angels" (which every single person should listen) nominated them to the Grammy Award. To finish, I've never heard in my life some amazing solos and riffs as much as I heard in DT's songs. And their lyrical theme is the best and most epic.

Fantastic group. Not sure why the first comment under them says that they are not musicians seeing as they make music for a living and play instruments. They are in fact musicians and if you don't like them because they "are not musicians" than by this logic you could not vote for anyone on this list seeing as all of these groups consist of musicians. Anyways, point is that DT are fabulous musicians who blend a neat progressive sound with heavy metal and create music unlike any other group I have ever listened to. If you've never checked them out you should I guarantee it is worth your while.

Longevity, impact, and generational-spanning material is what makes the best of the best the best. That's why Metallica, Maiden, Sabbath, Slayer, Megadeth, Priest etc. Are the greatest of the greats, whilst System of a Down are not. Whatever happened to the true giants of metal is irrelevant, because they're still viable, valid, and visible to this day. You can be 10 years-of-age and think 'Death Magnetic' is the best metal album you've ever heard, but at 12 you can dig further into Metallica's back catalogue and realise that 'And Justice For All...' is the best. I'm just using Metallica as an example, but the same applies to all the greats, but not System...

Greatest band ever. They have souls dedicated to music. They most likely love the world and they try as hard as possible to be true musicians. When they play live, they just put there soul into the music and make everything so like it's so great. Daron malakian doesn't shred like a psycho, but he puts his souls into them, as serj tankian sings and screams, not even caring if he misses the note, as long as he feels it, we feel it, and shavo dances so great to his music, you can tell he can live the moment, and john is great he never misses beats, and sounds PERFECT live, almost as if it's made by a computer, and his timing is perfect. They deserve to be #1 greatest metal band

System of a Down is, by far, one of the most unique bands out there. There is something in their funky, twisted, often disturbing sound that is satisfying as hell. The Armenian influence together with the spot on lyrics and Serj Tankian's HEAVENLY BLESSED vocal range makes them stand out far above many others! Not sure if they qualify under 'heavy metal' as such, but the truth is that I have seldomly found myself getting hooked on another band quite as hard as I still do with System of a Down, except for maybe Serj's solo project 'Elect the dead'. Damned System of a Down, get back together, we want more!

Their metal sound is unique to them alone. That alone is enough to put them into #1. Then there's the lyrics and message. It becomes no question. Metallica deserve a tie with 1 but I prefer them to be 2

I haven't heard X Japan, but I can't believe Avenged Sevenfold is above Slipknot! All of Slipknot's members are so unbelievably talented because if most people tried to form a metal band with nine members, they wouldn't be able to combine that many instruments and make it sound NEARLY as good as Slipknot. Not only are the instrumentals excellent, the lyrics have so much depth, power, and meaning. I mean, I like Avenged Sevenfold ALRIGHT, but they're just ok. Maybe they're just not hard enough for me. But Slipknot certainly should not be number 6 on this list.

Slipknot is the best, they're not only the best metal band, but also the best band in the world. I used to hate metal but the moment I heard 'wait and bleed, I immediately became a fan of Slipknot. And no doubt, Corey Taylor is the best vocalist alive, hats off to his versatility. You just can't deny that they have taken metal to whole new level. Eyeless, Psychosocial, people=s***, Before I Forget, The Nameless, duality, wait and bleed, all these songs are epic and you just can't beat them.

I own 4-and-5-piece thrash bands albums that pulverise Slipknot's 20-piece circus gimmickry into the dirt. Do you want examples? Here you go: Metallica's Master of Puppets; Slayer's Reign In Blood; Kreator's Pleasure to Kill; Sadus's Illusions; Exodus's Tempo of the Damned. Not a mask in sight, no down-tuned 7-string piece of crap guitars, and music so political, so heavy, so antagonistic that it makes Ali vs Foreman's Rumble in the Jungle look like the rope-a-dope it was. Welcome to the mighty 80's youngsters.

I'm an 80's/90's guy. not that I don't like 70's metal, but it just didn't kick enough ass for me. Sabbath, Priest, etc are very talented bands,but to me there are hard rock bands that were just as heavy. When Slayer came around they showed what metal was supposed to be, then Pantera came around and were just incredible, but then at the end of the 90's... SLIPKNOT breaks onto the scene, and just destroyed everything in its path. First it was Sabbath who were the top metal band, then maybe Priest, then Maiden, then Metallica took over and dominated, but Slayer was the hardcore metal hands favorite band, then Pantera took over, then some 90's bands like Korn, Tool, SOD became really popular, but then slipknot comes outand it's really been their era ever since. No other metal band has come around to dethrone them. They have been the top metal band since 1999. And there are other great bands out there,but Slipknot remains the best... best ever

The absolute best! His solo records are the epitome of Heavy Metal song writing. The sheer talent in every faction of the Dio band should be recognized for it's virtuosity and showmanship. This is the template for all who dared step into this ring. Holy Diver is the Bible and Dio is God!

Correct. The list is about the greatest metal bands of all time, hence Metallica at 1, Iron Maiden at 2, and Black Sabbath at 3. This is not a 'Top Ten Solo Vocalist Of All Time' list, so that's why Dio is where he is. Start talking about Dio the band and he'd be way further down the list. Incredible gun for hire vocalist though, no question.

He? Is this a Dio solo vocalist love-in thread? It's a Top Ten Metal Band thread, and Dio (the band) were good, but just sheer idiocy has made a Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell vocalist the position where he is. There's no disputing his vocal talent, but start talking about Holy Diver etc. instead of just the man - as great as he was.

This is the only thing in the list I am annoyed to see where it is. Even though Iron Maiden is better than Metallica, I can tolerate it being first. I can't tolerate Doo being so low on the list, I don't know why no one seems to appreciate this and as much some others higher. Maybe it's just me.

No Offense, (which means get ready for an insult) but it seems like a profound number of people who listen to Metal here has no regard to the suspense mystery and intelligibility of the songs.

I am not surprised that Tool is not in the Top Ten; not many people appreciate them, not many people understand them, not many people appreciate lyrics (if you do you will have great regard to what the hell they are singing), and not many of them has reached that great switch of perspectives...

I wager many of these people don't listen to classical music.
What does it have anything to do with Tool?
It means you are not resilient. You only like Metal. That is all.

What Tool have done for me surpasses what any artist has ever produced. Maybe they don't get enough credit or recognition. Than again, I don't think they want it, which only adds to the respect I have for them. It has been and always will be Tool, by Tool, for Tool. I'm sure they're grateful to their fans, but I believe they do it for the love of creating art, no more and no less. If they climb any higher on this list it only means Tool fans have more numbers and solidarity than previously thought. That knowledge alone is probably the only good thing that can come from these popularity contests.

Hypothetically, let's say both Tool and Metallica are metal bands. I personally don't think the latter is, but they have won metal accolades. I think it would be fair to say they are both the greatest progressive metal bands of all time, and are borderline undefinable, and are in fact spiritual cousins. Tool cite Tori Amos and Janis Joplin, whilst Metallica cite Lou Reed, Nick Cave etc. Tool just have the luxury of not being so damn famous and remain beyond criticism unlike the fan boy mentality that undermines Metallica's greatness.

Not only the best metal band ever, but, in my opinion, the greatest rock band in the world right now. Their sense of dynamics, texture, and intrigue are a thing of wonder, as is the technical prowess of its all-star lineup. Between Justin Chancellor's mysterious bass riffs, Adam Jones' powerful guitar playing, Maynard James Keenan's emotionally charged singing, and Danny Carey's undescribable drumming, the band delivers on all front. And, with songs such as Lateralus, Ænema, and Rosetta Stoned, they have written some of the most original, and beautiful metal songs ever. Peace out, and love the music.

Without motorhead, none of these other bands would even be here. They influenced thrash metal heavily, and basically pioneered the whole speed metal genre. Lemmy is truly the epitome of a badass who does things his own way, makes them work, and makes the task easier and better for everyone to come. The whole metal, punk, AND rock communities honored his passing, which is a huge feat when your influences stretched that heavily to three different genres. We all still wish he'd have stayed longer. Motorhead were innovators, icons, and a true titan of the genre. Ian may have gone to the next life, but Lemmy will live forever. Anyway, he's probably making the afterlife even better than paradise.

These guys are underappreciated. This band is what got me into any sort of rock. Great song composition, unique and cool sound, and Lemmy's LEGENDARY bass playing should put it on the top 5. The first and best speed metal songs like Overkill and Ace Of Spades inspired many metal bands. Great songs, great personality, and really great bass playing that inspires me when playing mine. A unique sound that you can't get anywhere else. Ian's body may have stopped, but Lemmy's 'head keeps on going.

True, Lemmy says that he doesn't think Motörhead is metal. But that doesn't necessarily mean he's right. Listen to an album like overkill or ace of spades, and tell me that isn't heavy metal! They were the pioneers of speed metal. Plus the punk influence they had served as a thrash metal inspiration. They are easily one of the most influential metal bands of all time

I think this band is overrated as hell, lemmy sings terrible and their songs are boring as hell, I don't know why they get so much fans, this band is terrible. Anyway, if you like it, it's your problem, I can respect that but for me it's a bad band.

Anthrax 16th?! Is it a joke? Why is this amazing band so underrated? It is also in The Big Four not only Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer. For me, it should be 4th just after Megadeth, Black Sabbath and Metallica. Iron Maiden is a little bit overrated, the same with Avenged Sevenfold, but they are even more overrated. Just listen to Among the Living or Spreading the Disease albums to hear true thrash metal. Very heavy and awesome riffs, amazing Belladonna vocals. Come on, Anthrax deserves to be much higher.

The reason Anthrax are so low on the list is because they're patchy. 'Spreading the Disease' is a monster. 'Among the Living' is a monster - with crap attempts at humour. Their following 2 are forgettable, though 'Sound of White Noise' was pretty good. Fast-forward 20-years and they're back in form with 'Worship Music'. They're as good as anyone when they want to be.

Ok, Spreading The Disease rules, as did Among The Living, but the quality of the next two didn't live up to personal expectations. However, Sound of White Noise was pretty good with John Bush at the helm. He muscled-up their vocals and created a rocking album. Anthrax at their best were excellent, but a little board short-lived.

This bloody band is the most underrated ever. How is it lower than Disturbed, Slipknot and Dream Theater? If it wasn't for ANTHRAX, good bands like these would probably not exist. Seriously, have any of ya'll listened to "Caught In a Mosh"? That's metal in it's purest form.

Disturbed is definitely one of the better "newer" metal bands. They have their own sound that's what I like about them. The guitar riffs are dark and melodic at the same time. Lyrics and vocals are very good. The best song by Disturbed in my opinion are Stricken, Inside The Fire and Land Of Confusion (cover) and of course their iconic song Down With The Sickness.

In my opinion DISTURBED IS 1 METALLICA IS 2 AFTER THAT YOU GUYS CAN DECIDE. Disturbed has been my favorite band for over 6 years now.. Since 4th grade they have gotten my through a lot with there music. Disturbed got me into metal and with out them I wouldn't have even dared to listen to metal or rock.. I think.. And this is very very important to understand disturbed has done something only metallica and (I forgot) have done. Got 4 number 1's on the billboard in a row. They are destined for greatness and I hope one day they save metal and get back together disturbed has is and always will be my favorite band

Honestly one of the greatest bands to ever exist. Proven by all of the awards won, their music, the lyrics, sounds and meaning. Standing in many places among the original Metal bands such as 5 consecutive Number 1 on the charts for albums is a title held only by 2 other bands, Metallica, and the Dave Matthew's Band. Disturbed deserve's number 1.

Disturbed is one of my all time favorite bands, but I can't entirely disagree with their ranking on this list because so many of their songs sound so similar. I think they deserve a spot above several bands on this list, but I can't be to upset by the placement because Disturbed clearly have flaws.

Opeth rules! Anyone who think A7X and Bullet For My Valentine is metal should be decapitated and mutilated! Bullet For My Valentine and A7X are NOT metal. They are both metalcore and metalcore is not metal metalcore is hardcore hardrock both of those are not metal and combining two non genres of metal together does NOT give you metal. And no just because wikipedia says metalcore has extreme metal influences and hardcore punk doesn't mean it's true. HCP is black flag and misfits and EM is cradle of filth and new dimmu borgir and metalcore has non of these. Trivium, As I lay Dying, Unearth and Killswitch engage are the only metalcore bands that are actually metal.

Good music is playable over and over again, with something new to be discovered nearly every time in either complexity or simply feeling. This is Opeth. It is ALWAYS in my playlist.

Especially appreciative of truly talented musicians and writers such as Opeth are other musicians. Conversely, it scares me to think there are such high numbers of mindless, tone def, laggard souls out there to vote garbage like MetaliCucks and SevenSold to the top.

If you haven't given Opeth a listen yet, their earlier music is on the death metal side and their newer music is on the progressive psychedelic side and they mature and grow in depth with every album. Thank you Opeth for the countless hours of enjoyment you bring to so many ears and souls!

The completness of apparent uniform uneducated/uninformed nature of the community voting on this list is the most apparent by Opeth's exclusion from the top 3. Easily the best band on this list, although to all the Metallica haters, you are kidding yourselves if dismiss the incredible legacy left by that band's first 4 albums. Opeth itself initially sounded like a similar ( much more complex) Metallica clone as so many other bands have. To call metallics entire career in summation equal to the #1 spot is ludicrous though. Opeth's consistency in producing excellent music that demands and rewards repeat listens is unrivsled

Did you notice the word metal in metalcore? It is a genre of metal, and it is inherently a Christian metal movement. So to claim Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium as metalcore is false. As I Lay Dying - despite what happened - were a Christian metalcore band whose biggest influence was their antithesis, Slayer. KSE are a metalcore band because of their Christian heritage. Sure, some outside of religious circles borrow elements of metalcore's melody and cleans and growls, which Opeth and FF inspired, but again, note the word metal in metalcore. The hardcore movement of yesteryear doesn't exist anymore, which is why bands like Asking Alexandria, Blessthefall are post-hardcore. Note the word post. PS: Opeth aren't even metal any longer.

Okay as far as a list goes I don't know exactly where the placement of KoRn should be. But I know one thing, personally it should be just a bit higher than this. Jonathan Davis has an amazing voice. He can do a wide range of different things with his voice. And not only that but have you heard a lot of their music?! And no I am not talking about all of their overplayed songs. I am talking about the songs that you don't hear much. There is so much emotion put into the music. You can literally feel the anger, and the pain in some of their harder and softer stuff. And the crazy things they do with their instruments really makes their music very different. With Fieldy slapping his bass like a pro. And Munky is a exceptional guitarist. And takes different approaches to things. And the drums no matter who it was that was playing them at the time were amazing. I just think this band should be up a bit more on the list.

My #1. Best nu-metal band ever, great vox, awesome riffs and so much emotion and understanding. No words for the work of this band. I have goosebumps every time I hear the voice of Jonathan Davis. It's just embarrassing that KoRn wasn't in this top 200 before I added it. Their latest album, tPoT, is the best album ever made. The mix of Dubstep and Metal is just perfect. They're great inventors in the field of music. Much love and respect for this band.

There top 25. That's about right. Johnathan Davis, and the rest of the band are great. For the most part all of their albums are underrated, by people that aren't big korn fans, but a bit overrated for the people who are big korn fans. Their debut alum was fantastic, not too many metal or nu-metal albums that are as good as their debut.

Surprised they aren't that hated since a lot of metalheads hate Nu Metal but Korn is great though. They were the creators of it and the angst they had managed to feel genuine compared to bands in the genre that would try to sound like them.
Plus their songs are huge bangers. Korn is great indeed.

Too be honest, I love thrash metal, and I respect Testament without question, but since I am unable to change my vote, in retrospect I should have chosen Megadeth.

The combination of Alex Skolnick and Chuck Billy make Testament a force to be reckoned with. They should be the fifth member of the "big 4." (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, considered the "big 4" of thrash metal, for those who don't know) They have been writing great music since the 80s and they are still writing great music. One of my favorite bands.

This Big 4 business is all marketing bollocks. I don't want my Testament all pretty in an evening gown accepting some asinine Big 4 trophy. I want them and their fans to forget about the Miss Universe pageant and keep delivering high quality Bay Area thrash, so stop bit-torrenting their music and support these giants of thrash.

Chuck Billy and Testament won human indigenous rights awards for their video to Native Blood. That alone makes them great and further enhances metal's reputation, despite those who attempt to undermine it. Crushing Bay Area thrash doesn't harm the cause either.

They are very experimental with their sound and I love that. On the one hand they have power/thrash albums like Follow the Blind and Somewhere Far Beyond, on the other hand they released power metal classics like Nightfall in Middle Earth and A Night at the Opera. Not to mention their debut album is a speed metal masterpiece. They deserve to be higher on this list.

Blind Guardian should be cruising in the top five at least, below only the true greats like iron maiden, sabbath, and metallic. Blind Guardian one the only bands I know that actually tell a good story in their music (Maiden one of the others), all the other bands are pretty just much meaningless mainstream stuff with no story behind their music. The best kind of metal is the kind that can tell a tale from an old masterpiece in an intense and epic way, for example, Guardian's best album, nightfall in middle earth, each song tells a different part of one the greatest fantasy books in existence, The Lord of the Rings's predecessor, The Silmarillion. For example, Time Stands Still tells of a one on one battle between the elf king Fingolfin, and the dark lord Morgoth, Mirror Mirror, tells of the founding of the hidden kingdom of Gondolin, Into the storm, tells of the strive between Morgoth and Ungoliant over the Silmarils they had just stolen.

They are the only metal band I know that has been improving over time - every next album was better than the previous one. Altogether 10 albums and almost 30 years of exemplary musicianship. I just listened to their 2015 album and what can I say? - I have nothing but admiration for them! Similarly to other people, I'm also beginning to think that Blind Guardian are comparable to Maiden and Priest in terms of quality and consistency. And seeing them in #43 breaks my heart.

Metallica released the 5th greatest heavy metal record in heavy metal history 2-years after the death of Cliff Burton, and then proceeded to make the 10th greatest heavy metal album in heavy metal history after Cliff Burton died. Those two beasts own every album on this thread bar their material with Cliff Burton. Metallica were not only brilliant but also resilient after the great man's death. Untouchable.

They need to be in top 10 for sure. They come at you with powerful vocals and hit you with a guitar solo that will melt your face off. And the live shows are just so amazing. I have no clue why they are this low on the list. No songs they have made I ever disliked. Granted I give credit to other bands too but 28 for FFDP uncalled for. I think I speak for all FFDP fans when I say this "screw your list" cause I'm not asking for #1... even though they do deserve it. All I'm saying is at the very least top 10.

It's all in the ATTITUDE! I own quite a few of the records from those at or near the top, but they have all been supplanted by this relatively new band. I hate to say that about Metallica, Dio, Disturbed, AC/DC, Tool, Ozzy, Korn, Anthrax, Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden. System of a Down like Suicidal Tendencies are more punk in my mind, but that is why I still spend some quality time with them.

I absolutely love Five Finger Death Punch! They mix thrash and heavy metal beautifully! They are easily my favorite band. I've memorized plenty of there songs like Canto 34 and the agony of regret(5FDP fans will understand). I love bands like Iron Maiden, Death, and Slayer but these guys are number one! But seriously guys ACDC? Why is something that's not even metal above Death Punch on a metal list...

Five Finger Donkey Punch should not be allowed anywhere near a "best metal bands" list. There is absolutely nothing unique about this band. I have seen them live and left early because all the lead singer did was walk around like he was in a wrestling match while the guitarists just stood there. Not entertaining. Listen to Behemoth.

Amazing they help put down the ground work for all recent Metal along with Sabbath. They had the Original Metal in the 70's. Helped with two great albums in the 80's metal shred. Gave us the epic intro to the Battle Rages on in the 90's and In 2013 gave us an astounding progressive Metal album Now What!? Clearly they are one of the best metal bands of all time!

They have a more rock-like sound than most metal bands, but they were definitely heavy metal, specially during their latest years. Speed king, for God's sake.

They are epic, were heavy as hell for their time, and are pioneers of metal - no matter what line-up changes went on. They have released some of the greatest metal albums of all time - 'Machine Head particularly - and that Blackmore riff in the title track of 'Perfect Strangers' is one of the best I've heard since Hetfield and Hammet went stark bonkers with THAT riff in 'Orion'. One of the all-time greats of heavy.

Number 28. Come on? Speed King is one of the finest Heavy Metal tunes of all time. Ian Paice best drummer ever working his intricate work with Glover on bass. Blackmore and Lord like Jazz technicians with 1 million amps and topped off with Gillan screaming away like a banshee. The best!

"Them Bones"- even ignoring the fact that Layne was the greatest and most original, distinctive male vocalists of all time- even ignoring the fact that virtually everything they did was pure genius, honest beauty... There is "Them Bones". Even that track alone would make them a notable case for a Metal Top 10. I mean it's iconic- you know it's coming and it knocks you down and runs over you like a thundering steam train of nihilistic existensial pain... it's raw, rough, agressive and you feel it in your chest. They are great music, and thankfully didn't find it necessary to 'fit in' with genre stereotype.

Alice in Chains were victims of circumstance. Like so many of the other comments, they developed in Seattle during the grunge explosion. But their music was/is so much more than what defined grunge. Jerry Cantrell and Layne Staley wrote such phenomenal songs, so complex, intricate, just oozing with emotion and feeling.truly should be in the top ten.

Lets get this straight. Yes these guys were in the grunge period, and were from seattle, but the nature of their music, particularly Dirt and Facelift, had very strong metal sounds. And Bullet For My Valentine and Linkin Park are not only not metal, they are also both crap!

These guys inspired WAY more bands than most of the higher ranked bands ever did, Layne had an incredibly unique voice and their style is copied sooften because it was so different back when they got popular! They still kick ass even without Layne!

What can I say? They've been thrashing since the 1980s with no selling out whatsoever, and with 16 (16! ) albums to their credit, they are clearly showing no signs of slowing down. They are better than every single band in the big 4, and deserve much more credit than they get. Incredibly consistent, excellent musicians, and a sound that never grows tiresome, Overkill is easily one of the best thrash metal bands of all time. I LOVE THEM!

Overkill are very consistent, well respected, and have been fortunate enough to make a living doing what they do without compromise. Do they deserve to be in the top 10 metal bands of all time? Yes, for effort. No, for impact. They are solidly placed because they play solid thrash. I'm a fan.

I love Overkill, but the great Hetfield-inspired whiz kid guitarist Bobby Gustafson, who featured on all their best albums - Years of Decay particularly - was ousted. What on Earth were they thinking? That guy was such a freak that even Mustaine wanted him. Either way, Overkill are great.

Overkill is an amazing band and everything and they are one of my favorites but I disagree with the person who said they are better than every band in the BIG 4. Metallica and Slayer are better than Ovverkill. But they are just a little better than Megadeth and and Anthrax.