Top 10 Best Metal Bands of All Time

Metallica! That sums it all up. The world of metal would never be the same without them. They've been through it all, creating masterpieces and even experiencing their downfall. Yet, they still came back strong with albums like Death Magnetic. They've played pure thrash, heavy metal, ballads, and more. You name it, they've done it. Black Sabbath influenced them, but that can't be a reason why they can't be better. Nobody can deny their epic products, especially in the 80s. Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets are truly masterpieces. Megadeth, Black Sabbath, Slayer, Pantera, Judas Priest, Anthrax, Ozzy Osbourne should be placed higher or at least in the top 10. X Japan is a great band, but their place is unacceptable. Newer bands such as Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, Lamb of God, Slipknot, and Children of Bodom should be on the list, but definitely not in the top 10. Guns N' Roses and Korn are not even metal in my humble opinion. Linkin Park can GTFO and kiss every single band's ...more

Metallica, despite blessing the planet with metal's greatest genre and its five greatest albums, are an easy target for the envious judging by this thread. They're deemed as overrated sellouts, Nothing Else Matters but cash grabbers - you name it, they're it. Here are some home truths for the haters: no matter what you say or think or do, Metallica's first five 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 was not popular nor commercial. Their ambition from the start was to destroy the pompous, self-important twits that came before them. None of their first five 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) five of the greatest heavy metal albums you can own (six 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 around. 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 rivaled. You can't be 25 years of age forever, so I ask no more from them, and neither should anyone else. The greatest band ...more

Almost every fan of whatever band is on this thread thinks their favorite band should be #1. However, all the documented evidence around the globe points to one band - Metallica. This thread, and over half the bands on it, are now able to make a living playing unthinkably brutal metal because Metallica were gutsy enough to pioneer and popularize the thrash movement. They also sell vast amounts of records and sell out shows in any country they care to visit. You will find generations of fans of all types and tastes in music at their shows because they are so highly revered. Modern metal started when Metallica said so. They are the classiest and most human of all metal bands.

Metallica may be the most popular thanks to the breakout hit that was the Black Album, and their early material are undeniably great, but I personally disagree with their number 1 spot.

Iron Maiden, in my opinion, is the better band of the two. Black Sabbath and Deep Purple created the first foundations of metal, Motörhead and Rainbow built upon those foundations. Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and the rest of the gigantic NWOBHM tide proved metal was just as every bit as capable of good music and success as other genres. The big four of thrash metal and Death created two of the biggest metal sub-genres, Twisted Sister constructed glam, nu-metal's Korn showed that going further on the heaviness could yield very good stuff. Tens of thousands of lesser-known bands followed in their footsteps, branching out into specific areas to stand out.

And yet out of all these Slayers and Slipknots, I think that Iron Maiden has stood head-and-shoulders as the definitive metal band. Their ...more

Iron Maiden is 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 also 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 then jumps into a fitting arpeggio of melodies and riffs, making up the concerts that are voted as some of the best.

Metallica is really a great band. They showed me what metal is. However, 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 have a great sound that many people still enjoy, and they continue to 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 like The Number of the Beast, Powerslave, Piece of Mind, and Killers. They also have great songs like The Number of the Beast, Hallowed Be Thy Name, and The Trooper. The band members - Bruce, Steve, Adrian, Dave, and Nicko - are all fantastic, as are their covers and solos. Up the Irons!

There's no other band as complete as Maiden. Great vocals, melodies, solos, harmonies of twin guitars, an extraordinary bass, and a drummer that makes a single bass drum sound like a double one. The lyrics are written with a vast knowledge of literature, history, rhyme, and rhythm. From the first to the last album, you can clearly identify the soul of heavy metal.

I love Metallica, and Kirk's solos are sometimes more difficult for me to play. But from the '90s onwards, they've composed pure trash. If they had stayed true to their sound, I would consider them more highly. Only the first three albums are worth listening to, along with a couple of songs from Justice and the Black Album. The rest is embarrassing. They should be playing with Justin Bieber.

Black Sabbath is seminal. Without them, half the bands out there would not exist. They were the founders of the original "heavy sound." Just listen to albums like "Black Sabbath," "Masters of Reality," "Paranoid," and "Vol. 4," and tell me they don't belong in first place. Black Sabbath essentially pioneered the gloomy sound that led to the creation of metal. They have remained consistent even to this day, with their new album "13."

What did Avenged Sevenfold create? From what I've heard, their new album is essentially a rip-off of Metallica's Black Album. Black Sabbath was original and innovative at a time when there were no other bands like them. They all came from a working class in a working town, and their music reflects that grit. Tony Iommi played despite two of his fingertips being cut off. Meanwhile, Ozzy Osbourne was a scientific marvel, given the amount of drugs and alcohol he consumed, yet he still produced some of metal's 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. If you look at the waveform of an original CD release of War Pigs, for instance (in Audacity, perhaps), you can visually see how the band builds up slowly. There is room for the instruments to breathe. The second time around (Now in darkness, world stops turning) seems more intense because they held back the first time.

This is something that should be taught to every mixer, sound manager, and even every musician. 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 even at a young age, I already have a superb musical taste with hundreds of complete discographies, ranging from '60s bands to the 2000s. When I hear Black Sabbath's masterworks, I go headbanging and wonder 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 perhaps 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.

Black Sabbath is the father of heavy metal. Really, no more to say. Without them, no one would be here. Or I guess Led Zeppelin, but Zeppelin wasn't really heavy metal.

Megadeth receives too much hate, especially when overshadowed by Metallica. However, Dave Mustaine is unbelievably good as both a guitarist and a singer. I love Megadeth.

The best metal band of all time for sure, their masterpiece "Rust in Peace" album redefined the thrash metal genre with more technical and complex riffs, as well as the wonderful guitar solo works from both Dave and Marty. Also, their "Peace Sells" album is considered one of the heaviest metal albums of all time, especially considering it was released in the 80s (even heavier than Metallica's "Master of Puppets"). Lars Ulrich even admits that he liked "Peace Sells." The guitar work in all their albums, including "Risk," is brilliant if you pay extra attention to it. Dave Mustaine is a true guitar genius. If he had continued in Metallica, I believe there would not be a "Big Four" or anything. There would only be the one!

I agree with many of the opinions on some of the top bands mentioned 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 about the birth of metal here), Slayer, Judas Priest, Dio, Pantera, and Anthrax (to a somewhat lesser 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 Zeppelin is an amazing band, but I can't place them in the metal category. The same goes for so many others that flirt with metal, such as Tool, Dream Theater, System of a Down, and Motorhead. I'm focusing on straight, balls-to-the-wall metal here. No experimental or progressive genres in my post. If we included them, we'd have to include so many others. I'm not saying Megadeth is ...more

Of course, Megadeth is the best in 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 fills. Metallica is also great but not as technical as Megadeth. Lars is too overrated. He plays the drums like a 4-year-old. Of 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, who was unfortunately killed in a bus accident. If he were still alive, Metallica might have a chance to beat Megadeth. Kirk Hammett can play fast, but that's all he can do with guitars. There's no melody or rhythm. However, he did come up with a few good riffs, and every guitar solo he made sounds exactly the same. James Hetfield is probably my favorite member of Metallica because I reckon he is the best metal singer.

Their nicknames are Metal Gods for a reason! In particular, Sad Wings of Destiny easily outdoes any 'core' band's albums with its lyrics, and then some!

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 and Dave Mustaine form 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 Kill 'Em All, Ride the Lightning, and Master of Puppets. Other stuff can just not exist.

And why there are emo bands ahead of true metal gods is 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's coattails anymore. New England sucked, but the whole affair led me to explore who JP was. The first album of theirs I got my hands on was Unleashed in the East: Live in Japan. It immediately blew me away. The singing, the riffs, and 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.

Metallica may have been more popular, Megadeth may have been more lauded, and Anthrax may have been more accessible, but no one reigns (pun intended) over thrash and metal's perspective like Slayer. Both 'Show No Mercy' and 'Hell Awaits' are staples of the sub-genre and their early sound. 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 with 'Reign in Blood.'

Slayer was, or is - still going strong after 30+ years and sounding great - never meant to be universally loved. People weren't supposed to easily wrap their arms around and embrace this band. Jeff and Kerry's shredding, Tom's ferocious vocal style, and Lombardo's powerful double-kick generated love or loathing from listeners. The riffs were as memorable as they were brutal, and the solos were as fast as they were imitated. Everything about Slayer was different from anything metal had seen up to that point. They took it ...more

Tough choice. There are a 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-ish to me, with just a touch of metal. Maiden is huge and 100% metal, but I prefer something a bit heavier.

Metallica is the king, the biggest metal band ever, but they had a few albums that veered away from true metal and were a bit rock-ish in the '90s. They did return to authentic thrash, however, 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 its finest and always heavy. Their new album, due out on 9-11-15, sounds great so far. The Repentless single is classic Slayer. Reign in Blood is possibly the greatest thrash album ever. Slayer has been around for over 30 years and is ...more

Slayer has an energy that can't be replicated. 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 (from Iron Maiden) has great vocals, but when I need to hear intensity, nothing scratches that itch like Halford (from Judas Priest) or better yet, Araya (from Slayer).

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

Slayer symbolizes the heavier side to the thrash metal world. They never went back on their extreme extent. Anything other than the top 5 is unrealistic for the amount of damage this band has done for their first 5 albums (personally I love all their work but their first 5 is what gave them their infamous title). They have the most loyal fan base and their sound is beyond timeless. Hell, I bet Satan checks under his bed for Hanneman every now and then (rip). Also, happy 30th anniversary to reign in blood l.

The second my friend played me the opening of "Mouth for War," I was immediately sucked into the world of Pantera. From "Cowboys From Hell" to "Reinventing the Steel," they have made several classic albums, especially "Vulgar Display of Power." The sounds that come out of Phil Anselmo's mouth? Wow.

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 five albums. 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 the talent of these four guys. I wish I had seen them live, but I would've been scared to get caught in one of their mosh pits.

If you're talking about the most popular, then Metallica wins hands down. If you're talking about the best metal band, Pantera wins hands down. Was Phil, in his time, a better singer than James? By far. Dimebag was better than Kirk and James put together on guitar. Don't believe me? Then go learn some Dimebag licks if you can, and then we will talk.

Everyone can play like James or Kirk and make it sound the way they did. The only person who could make Pantera sound the way it should sound is Dimebag. Go to YouTube 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 means they're a better band. Pantera could cover Metallica songs all day long, and it would probably sound better. If Metallica tried to cover Pantera songs, it would be a total mess. People who don't know Pantera well don't understand the musical talent that was in that band.

Dude? Okay, Phil was (and probably still is) the greatest voice in power metal, groove metal, and any kind of metal. Dime's guitar playing was just perfect. One guitar in this band - just one! When I first listened to them, I thought there were two. Rex is just so in time and rhythmic with his bass playing, and Vinnie Paul made the drums sound like 12-gauge shotgun blasts. I mean, he was even on the cover for Best Metal Drummer at one stage! Overall, Pantera's music was a way of letting out all of your emotions, and it still works to this day. The music was powerful and hard-hitting, but also something to groove to and headbang to. That, to me, is one of the reasons why Pantera is one of the greatest metal bands of all time.

I've 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 pour their adventures into their songs.

Look at "The Count of Tuscany". Petrucci wrote that song because he felt he was going to 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 your 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 toward 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 Dream Theater songs send chills through me, literally - like the start of Outcry, Hell's Kitchen, and 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 Dream Theater. However, 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 ...more

Well, in my opinion, Dream Theater is the best. Their music is the most amazing ever: guitar solos, bass, drums, and keyboard. However, all the members have won prizes, such as the first guitarist in the world, first bassist, first drummer, and first keyboardist. Additionally, their keyboardist, Jordan Rudess, is number one, and he even made his own progressive keyboard.

Plus, their 2011 single "On the Backs of Angels," from "A Dramatic Turn of Events," was nominated for a Grammy Award. Every single person should listen to it. To conclude, I've never heard solos and riffs as amazing in my life as I have in Dream Theater's songs. And their lyrical theme is the best and most epic.

Fantastic group. I'm not sure why the first comment under them states 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," then by this logic you couldn't vote for anyone on this list. This is because all of these groups consist of musicians.

Anyway, the point is that Dream Theater (DT) are fabulous musicians who blend a neat progressive sound with heavy metal, creating music unlike any other group I've ever listened to. If you've never checked them out, you should. I guarantee it's worth your while.

Chuck Schuldiner is a highly skilled songwriter. Death is amazing. Also, unpopular opinion, but Leprosy is the best Death album.

Death deserves to be in the top 5. I think the only reason they aren't is that people don't give them a chance, simply because they are categorized as "death metal." However, Death isn't the kind of death metal that most people think of, where it's all just growling, screaming, satanic lyrics, and horribly sounding guitars. Chuck Schuldiner produces great solos and riffs, and their songs have meaningful lyrics.

For anyone who hasn't listened to them, I strongly urge you to listen to these songs first to get a feel for the band:

- 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, followed by "The Sound of Perseverance," as these are their more thrashy-type albums.

This band defines metal music. It features heavy riffs, awesome lyrics, and much more. Chuck Schuldiner (R.I.P.) was an absolute genius, if you ask me. Death is one of those rare bands that has 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, and the list goes on.

This band deserves to be in the top 3. They are the reason I started playing metal songs. The lyrics also carry significant meaning, including Spiritual Healing, a song that critiques fake preachers who claim to heal patients through faith, knowing they don't possess such power. Death also incorporates acoustic instrumentals, which, in my opinion, give the band balance by offering fans different types of music. They are better than most music out there today. Even if you hate death metal, give this band a chance. They are more than just blood and gore lyrics and 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 to this pure form, Mr. Schuldiner would still be seen rocking over the world. Many, including me, clearly acknowledge him as the "Godfather of Death Metal." He was truly one of the greatest visionaries of metal music.

Longevity, impact, and generation-spanning material are what make the best of the best the best. That's why Metallica, Maiden, Sabbath, Slayer, Megadeth, and Priest are the greatest of the greats, while System of a Down is 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 old and think 'Death Magnetic' is the best metal album you've ever heard. But by the age of 12, you can dig further into Metallica's back catalogue and realize that 'And Justice for All...' is the best. I'm just using Metallica as an example, but the same applies to all the greats, except for System of a Down.

Greatest band ever. They have souls dedicated to music. They most likely love the world and try as hard as possible to be true musicians. When they play live, they put their soul into the music and make everything feel so great. Daron Malakian doesn't shred like a psycho, but he puts his soul into the chords. Serj Tankian sings and screams, not even caring if he misses a note, as long as he feels it, we feel it. Shavo dances so well to his music. You can tell he lives in the moment. John is great. He never misses beats and sounds perfect live, almost as if it's made by a computer. His timing is perfect. They deserve to be the #1 greatest metal band.

System of a Down is, by far, one of the most unique bands out there. Their funky, twisted, often disturbing sound is satisfying as hell. The Armenian influence, combined with spot-on lyrics and Serj Tankian's heavenly blessed vocal range, makes them stand out far above many others. I'm not sure if they qualify as 'heavy metal,' but the truth is that I have seldom found myself getting hooked on another band as much as I still do with System of a Down. This holds true except for maybe Serj's solo project, 'Elect the Dead.' Damn, System of a Down, get back together. We want more!

Serj Tankian is probably the best voice ever, no offense to James Hetfield, Bruce Dickinson, Robert Plant, and Axl Rose. But it's not only his voice. It's the mind behind it - Mr. Daron Malakian. Together, they create a melodious horror with an element of surprise in each line. The lyrics, the music - everything is unique. And let's not forget Shavo. If you watch 'Prison/Toxicity' Live, you'll see that one could die for this guy. Perhaps they are a little out of the league, and maybe that's the reason they stay at No. 9. For a person who encourages experimental music, these songs can blow your mind.

Slipknot's best attributes are their incredible discography and music, pure aggression, and incredible live performances. In my opinion, they also have the most devoted fans out there. 'Knot forever!

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. 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, but the lyrics also have so much depth, power, and meaning. I mean, I like Avenged Sevenfold alright, but they're just okay. 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 a whole new level. Eyeless, Psychosocial, People=Shit, Before I Forget, The Nameless, Duality, Wait and Bleed - all these songs are epic, and you just can't beat them.

I'm an '80s/'90s guy. Not that I don't like '70s 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 '90s, Slipknot broke 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 fan's favorite band. Then Pantera took over. Some '90s bands like Korn, Tool, and SOD became really popular. But then Slipknot comes out, and 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 epitomize heavy metal songwriting. The sheer talent in every faction of the Dio band should be recognized for its virtuosity and showmanship. This is the template for all who dare to step into this ring. Holy Diver is the Bible, and Dio is God!

This is the only thing on the list I'm annoyed to see where it is. Even though Iron Maiden is better than Metallica, I can tolerate it being first. What I can't tolerate is Dio being so low on the list. I don't know why he isn't as appreciated as some of the others ranked higher. Maybe it's just me.

Dio deserves the number 1 spot on this list, not Metallica, for a few reasons. 1. Dio was THE best singer of all time. 2. His guitarist doesn't use too much wah, like Kirk Hammett, to appear badass. 3. If it weren't for Dio, hard rock/metal would probably be even worse than Metallica. Dio deserves to be number 1, not 22.

Hail to the king! Dio started the evil horns, had an amazing voice, was part of Black Sabbath, and wasn't arrogant about it. You guys need to stop voting for the latest popular trend and vote for the artists who have stood the test of time.

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

I'm not surprised that Tool is not in the top ten. Not many people appreciate them. Not many people understand them or appreciate lyrics - if you do, you'll have great regard for what they are singing. Not many have reached that significant switch of perspectives.

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

What Tool has done for me surpasses what any artist has ever produced. Maybe they don't get enough credit or recognition. Then again, I don't think they want it, which only adds to the respect I have for them. It has always been 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 that Tool fans have greater 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 former is, but they have won metal accolades. I think it would be fair to say that they are both among the greatest progressive metal bands of all time. They are borderline undefinable and are, in fact, spiritual cousins. Tool cites Tori Amos and Janis Joplin, while Metallica cites Lou Reed and Nick Cave, among others. Tool has the luxury of not being so famous and thus remains beyond criticism, unlike Metallica, which is undermined by fanboy mentality.

Not only are they the best metal band ever, but, in my opinion, they are also the greatest rock band in the world right now. Their sense of dynamics, texture, and intrigue is 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 indescribable drumming, the band delivers on all fronts. 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 heavily influenced thrash metal 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 stretch 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 them in 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 I play mine. A unique sound that you can't get anywhere else. Ian's body may have stopped, but Lemmy's spirit 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 albums like 'Overkill' or 'Ace of Spades,' and tell me that isn't heavy metal! They were pioneers of speed metal. Additionally, their punk influence served as an inspiration for thrash metal. They are easily one of the most influential metal bands of all time.

The only musical group with God as the lead singer is a pioneer of metal and the loudest band of the loudest decade. No band could tour like Motorhead, and everyone from Metallica to Maiden has cited Motorhead as a massive influence.

Anthrax at 16th? Is this a joke? Why is this amazing band so underrated? They are also in The Big Four, along with Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer. For me, they should be 4th, just after Megadeth, Black Sabbath, and Metallica. Iron Maiden is a bit overrated, as is Avenged Sevenfold, but the latter is even more so. Just listen to the Among the Living or Spreading the Disease albums to hear true thrash metal. They have very heavy and awesome riffs and amazing Belladonna vocals. Come on, Anthrax deserves to be much higher.

The reason Anthrax is so low on the list is because they're inconsistent. Spreading the Disease is a monster, as is Among the Living, though it has poor attempts at humor. Their subsequent two albums are forgettable, although Sound of White Noise was pretty good. Fast-forward 20 years, and they're back in form with Worship Music. They can be as good as anyone when they want to be.

Ok, Spreading The Disease rules, as did Among The Living. However, the quality of the next two albums didn't live up to personal expectations. Sound of White Noise, however, 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 their peak was somewhat 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, which is what I like about them. The guitar riffs are dark and melodic at the same time. The lyrics and vocals are very good. The best songs 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 number 1, and Metallica is number 2. After that, you guys can decide. Disturbed has been my favorite band for over 6 years now. Since 4th grade, they have gotten me through a lot with their music. Disturbed got me into metal, and without them, I wouldn't have even dared to listen to metal or rock. I think, and this is very important to understand, Disturbed has done something only Metallica and one other band (which I forgot) have done: gotten 4 number 1's on the Billboard charts in a row. They are destined for greatness, and I hope one day they save metal and get back together. Disturbed has been, is, and always will be my favorite band.

Honestly, one of the greatest bands to ever exist. Proven by all the awards won, their music, lyrics, sounds, and meaning. Standing in many places among the original metal bands, earning 5 consecutive Number 1 spots on the charts for albums is a title held only by two other bands: Metallica and the Dave Matthews Band. Disturbed deserves the number 1 spot.

Disturbed is one of the greatest bands I have ever heard in my lifetime. I don't see why they aren't at the top. Metallica isn't even that good. A7x sucks. Disturbed is always ahead. People need to understand that Disturbed outperforms all these guys. David, keep rocking on and go back to Disturbed.

Very few metal bands have the capability to write several partly acoustic, beautiful, and intense death metal masterpieces that last 10 minutes. Blackwater Park is easily one of my top 5 metal albums, and this band is incredible.

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-deaf, 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. 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 completeness of the apparent uniform, uneducated/uninformed nature of the community voting on this list is 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 you dismiss the incredible legacy left by that band's first four albums. Opeth itself initially sounded like a similar, much more complex, Metallica clone, as so many other bands have. To call Metallica's 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 unrivaled.

Slipknot, Disturbed, and Tool above Opeth? I like Tool, but they aren't even a better progressive metal band than Opeth. Listen to the albums "Still Life" and "Blackwater Park," then tell me how many metal bands can make an album like these. Epic riffs, best growls ever, some of the most beautiful and emotional clean vocals ever, magical acoustic melodies, melancholic chord progressions, great solos, great drumming, great production, great lyrics, atmosphere, and overall album experience.

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 and can do a wide range of different things with it. And it's not just about their overplayed songs. I'm talking about the songs you don't hear much.

There is so much emotion put into their music. You can literally feel the anger and pain in some of their harder and softer pieces. The crazy things they do with their instruments really make their music very different. Fieldy slaps his bass like a pro, and Munky is an exceptional guitarist who takes different approaches. And no matter who was playing the drums at the time, they were amazing. I just think this band should be a bit higher on the list.

They're my number one. Best nu-metal band ever, with great vocals, awesome riffs, and so much emotion and understanding. No words can describe the work of this band. I get goosebumps every time I hear Jonathan Davis's voice. 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 perfect. They're great inventors in the field of music. Much love and respect for this band.

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

I'm surprised they aren't more hated since a lot of metalheads dislike Nu Metal. But Korn is great. They were the creators of the genre, and the angst they managed to convey feels genuine compared to bands that try to sound like them. Plus, their songs are huge bangers. Korn is indeed great.

Extremely underrated. A New Order is one of the best thrash albums, and they have a great band with a lot of musical skill and several fantastic albums.

The combination of Alex Skolnick and Chuck Billy makes Testament a force to be reckoned with. They should be the fifth member of the "Big 4." For those who don't know, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax are considered the "Big 4" of thrash metal. Testament has been writing great music since the '80s, and they are still producing great music. They are one of my favorite bands.

This Big 4 business is all marketing bollocks. I don't want my Testament dressed up 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 torrenting their music and support these giants of thrash.

Chuck Billy and Testament won human indigenous rights awards for their video for 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.

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.

They are very experimental with their sound, and I love that. On 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.

Easily the best metal band out there, every song is a pure masterpiece, and it just keeps getting better. They spin fantastic yarns that transport you to a different universe. Their music fits any activity - whether I'm at the gym, playing video games, or even working on a 10,000-word essay for university. Blind Guardian and Dio/Sabbath should be battling for the top spot, not Metallica and Maiden.

Amazingly, they helped lay the groundwork for all recent metal, along with Sabbath. They had the original metal sound in the '70s and contributed two great albums to '80s metal shred. They gave us the epic intro to The Battle Rages On in the '90s. In 2013, they gave us an astounding progressive metal album, Now What!? Clearly, they are one of the best metal bands of all time.

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

Number 28? Come on! Speed King is one of the finest heavy metal tunes of all time. Ian Paice is the best drummer ever, working his intricate magic with Glover on bass. Blackmore and Lord are like jazz technicians with a million amps, and it's all topped off with Gillan screaming away like a banshee. They are the best!

Technically good or not, I don't care. They have so many good songs with good riffs and good guitars. You don't have to be fast to be a good guitarist. Ritchie Blackmore is on my list of good music. I enjoy their music. This is what heavy metal is all about!

"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 existential pain. It's raw, rough, aggressive, and you feel it in your chest. They make great music and thankfully didn't find it necessary to 'fit in' with genre stereotypes.

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, and is, so much more than what defined grunge. Jerry Cantrell and Layne Staley wrote such phenomenal songs - so complex, intricate, and just oozing with emotion and feeling. They truly should be in the top ten.

Let's 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. 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 so often 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 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 is very consistent, well-respected, and has 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 - particularly Years of Decay - was ousted. What on Earth were they thinking? That guy was such a freak that even Mustaine wanted him. Either way, Overkill is great.

Overkill is an amazing band 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 Overkill. However, they are just a little better than Megadeth and Anthrax.

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 and 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 their 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, AC/DC? 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.