Most Underrated Heavy Metal Bands

The Top Ten
1 Savatage Savatage is an American heavy metal band founded by the brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1978 at Astro Skate in Tarpon Springs, Florida.

Savatage is the most underrated band in history and Criss Oliva is the most underrated guitar player in history!
Their 1991 concept album "STREETS - A ROCK OPERA" is a flawless masterpiece, deserving to be in every house just like "Dark Side Of The Moon" or "The Wall": anyone listening to rock, pop, metal, classical music SHOULD OWN A COPY. It's a raw and emotional story about the rise and fall of a rock star with a moving finale and huge stage potential, masterly sung, played and narrated by the charismatic Jon Oliva.

In a fair world, Savatage would be selling out headlining shows in stadiums and arenas, cashing in millions of dollars each night just like Metallica, Iron Maiden, AC/DC and Trans-Siberian Orchestra (a side project born from Savatage) do.

I have never met and been a part of a Circle of Fans more dedicated and loving. That there are so many Fan Pages, all with 'Sava-Family' participating and sharing between multiple groups, speaks volumes of the artistry and Family that this band was and still is today. Chriss Oliva has been gone many years and is still loved and deeply missed by his bandmates and friends. Daily, there are photos and tributes to him. Still THE favorite guitarist of many Metal fans. SAVATAGE is here to stay. His wife, who passed years later, would be proud. Worth checking out. Be prepared to be wowed.

Savatage is a very complete band. The melodies are complex and perfect, as if each instrument's line was carefully planned - yet, it all sounds so intuitive. The vocals too are amazing, I mean, very few singers can perform Hall of The Mountain King (oh, those high staccato notes! ). The lyrics are just pure poetry, they come up with these intricate stories, and make them so universal that everyone can relate to them. I could spend the rest of my life just listening to Savatage and Beethoven.

I have to admit that, while I liked Streets, my fave Savatage album will always be Sirens. I still remember buying it as an indie album with the original black and blue cover and being blown away by the production. Back in the 80s, buying an indie album was a crap shoot because a lot of them were poorly produced. Savatage was obviously ahead of the pack in that department and my fave era of the band was when Criss was there...mostly Sirens through Gutter Ballet (minus Fight for the Rock)

2 Diamond Head Diamond Head are an English heavy metal band formed in 1976 in Stourbridge, England. The band is recognised as one of the leading members of the new wave of British heavy metal and is acknowledged by thrash metal bands such as Metallica and Megadeth as an important early influence.

Diamond Head should be #1. They have great songs, plus bands such as Metallica and SLAYER have listed Diamond Head as a key influence. Metallica's song Am I Evil? Is actually a diamond Head song.

Syncopated droptuning guitar riffs, galloping through the forrests of medeival England, beheading the unjust purveyors of evil, upholding the swords of truth and justice. Timeless and immortal.

They directly influenced Metallica, and Lightning to the Nations is one of the greatest metal albums of all time.

The forefathers of all modern metal
Listen to 'Am I Evil' and you will be convinced

3 Rainbow Rainbow are a British rock band led by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1993 to 1997. They were originally established with Ronnie James Dio as the lead singer and lyricist. Rainbow were ranked No. 90 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. The band has sold over 28 million albums worldwide. The band's early work primarily featured mystical lyrics with a neoclassical metal style.

Absolutely underrated - they are never mentioned among the greatest metal bands although they were really great. How many metal bands have had such super-talented musicians like:
Dio (RIP), Ritchie Blackmore, Roger Glover, Cozy Powell (RIP).

They invented a bunch of metal subgenres and lots of metalheads enjoy them now. Rainbow influenced directly the non-bluesy metal sound of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden.
Check out these genre defining songs by Rainbow:
From the 1976 album: Stargazer, A Light in the Black, Tarot Woman
From the 1978 album: Gates Of Babylon, Kill The King, LA Connection

Really underrated p, they're never mentioned as one of the main influences of the later metal

4 Anvil Anvil are a Canadian heavy metal band from Toronto, Ontario, formed in 1978. The band consists of Steve "Lips" Kudlow, Robb Reiner and Chris Robertson.

Anvil defined metal back in the day. They were role models to Slash, Scott Ian, Lars Ulrich and other rock and metal profiles. Lemmy himself stated that he always liked Anvil. For some reason they never made it the whole way. That's the very DEFINITION of underrated! Avenged Sevenfold IS THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE! They are the most overrated bunch of douche bags I have ever heard of!

What?! A7X underrated? Black Veil Bride heavy metal?! For me there is only 5 heavy metal bands really underrated in this list : Sadus, Black Bomb A (but it's French, so it's understandable), Savatage, U.F.O. and the must : Anvil. I don't think that A7X has been left behind after something like 16 albums recorded. It's not like if they're headlined at every summer festivals... And what is ACDC doing in this list?! ACDC heavy metal? ACDC underrated?! Just remake yourself a culture in Heavy Metal!

I just saw Anvil October 6th in Toronto. They are incredible live. No drummer is as good as Rob Reiner period. I was blown away by the sheer energy. This band is still hungry 37 years later. Lips is a excellent front man and personality! His lead playing is impressive and original! A much more real from the heart concert experience.

Laugh out loud top 3 are possibly the most overrated of all time. Laugh out loud how can bands that get played on the radio 24/7 be underrated. Anvil is a classic influential metal band that only started gaining popularity with a fan-made documentary that wowed critics. Savatage is another good pick.

5 Annihilator Annihilator is a Canadian thrash metal band founded in 1984 by vocalist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter, engineer, producer, mixer and mastering engineer Jeff Waters and former vocalist John Bates.

Jeff Waters is the man in this band - his fast and technical riffs and solos are exemplary. He is one of the top 3 lead G players in thrash, sharing this honor with Marty Friedman and Alex Skolnick but never gets the same credits.
By the way, I think Alex is underrated, too, but not as much as Jeff. It's because Annihilator are even more underrated than Testament.

Alisson Hell is one of the best songs I've ever heard. Is so complete, the guitars and the audible bass are perfect and their lines completely complete each other. Just fantastic! Jeff Waters is a beast

In my opinion annihilator has the one of the best heavy metal guitarists ever who is criminally underrated too...

Allison Hell and The Fun Palace are amazing songs. Very underrated,

6 Deep Purple Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical approach changed over the years. Originally formed as a progressive rock band, the band shifted to a heavier sound in 1970. Deep Purple, together with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, have been referred to as the "unholy trinity of British hard rock and heavy metal in the early to mid-seventies". They were listed in the 1975 Guinness Book of World Records as "the globe's loudest band" for a 1972 concert at London's Rainbow Theatre, and have sold over 100 million albums worldwide. ...read more.

Hard Lovin' Man, Child in Time, Speed King and Highway Star are definitely Metal.

Extremely underrated - inventors of metal and nobody cares.

7 Coroner Coroner is a Swiss thrash metal band from Zürich, formed in the early 80s. They have been called "the Rush of thrash metal" for their increasingly complex style of progressive rock-infused thrash. They garnered relatively little attention outside Europe .

I truly can't believe Coroner is in the top 10 here...must be some smart metalheads contributing to this list. Absolutely one of the most underrated metal bands ever...and one of the most talented. Mental Vortex is one of the greatest death/extreme metal albums ever recorded. Period. A masterpiece to go along with the rest of a strong catalogue.

They are considered as one of the most technical and proficient thrash bands - high level of complexity and musicianship.

They are a thrash/technical thrash band from Switzerland, active from 1983-1996, 2010-present.

Good Songs: Son of Lilith, Sudden Fall, Internal Conflicts, Masked Jackal, Metamorphosis and the instrumental Nosferatu

8 Death Angel Death Angel is an American thrash metal band from Daly City, California, initially active from 1982 to 1991 and again since 2001. Death Angel has released seven studio albums, two demo tapes, one box set and two live albums.

Theost underrated thrash band by far! Give them a listen, they are so good!

9 Saxon Saxon are an English heavy metal band formed in 1976, in South Yorkshire. As one of the leaders of the new wave of British heavy metal, they had eight UK Top 40 albums in the 1980s including four UK Top 10 albums and two Top 5 albums.

This is the stupidest list in the history of metal. SAXON behind avenged sevenfold, kiss, D.R. I, Overkill, Deftones? What! Saxon sould be AT LEAST #5.

Saxon should be number 1.

10 Anthrax Anthrax is an American thrash metal band from New York City, formed in 1981 by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker.

I think Anthrax is better than Slayer, almost as good as Metallica, a bit better than Testament. Megadeth is the ultimate thrash band of all time in my opinion, But I do agree that Anthrax is underrated in the context of the big four. But in general, they get a lot of recognition. The Big 4 goes like this for me: Megadeth, Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer.

Anthrax kick Metallica's ass any day. In the early days, they were just savage. They've had more bad luck than they deserve throughout their careers but they've pulled through each time. Now that is Thrash 'Til Death!

Are you kidding me?
How the hell are they under rated?
They are one the biggest thrash legends for God's sake

Whaat?!? Anthrax is not underrated has someone heard about the BIG 4? Anthrax is there, Anthrax IS the law

The Contenders
11 Living Sacrifice Living Sacrifice is an American Christian metal band formed in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1989. Over the years, their music has evolved to encompass various styles, including thrash metal, death metal, and metalcore. They are considered pioneers in the Christian metal genre, known for their unflinching lyrics and complex compositions. Living Sacrifice has been influential not only in religious circles but also in the broader metal community.

Listen to songs like: Death Machine, Overkill Exposure, Rules Of Engagement, Bloodwork, and Ghost Thief, AND TELL ME THIS BAND ISN'T BADASS!

Probably doest get as much recognition because they are a Christian band.

One of the best Christian Metal bands out there...

97 and 2000 albums are masterpieces, must listen

12 Overkill Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in New Jersey. They have gone through many line-up changes, with singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and bassist D.D.

Most underrated metal band ever (along with Exodus). After 30 years they still sound fesh and hungry. Plus, their musicianship is amazing.

Overkill has never gotten the recognition that they deserve. Amazing band. Every album is spectacular.

THE underrated thrash metal band.

13 Demon Hunter Demon Hunter is an American Christian metal band from Seattle, Washington, started in 2000 by brothers Don Clark and Ryan Clark. Although the brothers created the band together, only Ryan remains, since Don left the band to take care of his family.

Heavy ass band. Their latest album is a step lower than the rest but its still good.

So underrated it makes me wanna cry

14 Mercyful Fate Mercyful Fate was a Danish heavy metal band from Copenhagen, formed in 1981 by vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann.

I rarely see these guys mentioned but what is wrong with this list? The ONLY band that belongs in the top ten is Anvil, the entire list is almost completely made up of commercial overrated nu-metal and metalcore

It's unbelievable that a band like Mercyful Fate is so underrated, they have been inspiration for great bands like slayer and Metallica. It is an amazing band and King Diamond's voice is outstanding.

Many Get Mad At Me,Mercyful Fate Is Overrated.One Of The Worst Ever,I Cold Come Up With Unsigned Bands That Can Smoke The Danish King On Stage.Just Listen To That Voice,Jeez.The Schmuck Rip Kiss Corpsepaint In The Eighties.Truth Hurts Bro.

15 Crimson Glory Crimson Glory is an American progressive metal band that formed in 1979 under the name Pierced Arrow.
16 Angel Witch Angel Witch are a British heavy metal band which formed in London, England in 1977 as part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement.

Not a very well known band but could have hit the big time if their lead singer hadn't left. Their first album is so addictive and just... ARGH

Definitely underrated.

17 Avenged Sevenfold Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band, that was formed 1999 in California. Their longest lineup of members was M. Shadows (Vocals), Synyster Gates (Lead Guitar), Zacky Vengeance (Rhythm Guitar), Johnny Christ (Bass Guitar), and The Rev (Drums). ...read more.

I really like them and their "experimental" way of doing music...
The only thing I don't like is about fans that always say: "The Rev, the best drummer of all time", "Afterlife, the greatest song of all time", "Syn, the greatest guitarist of all time"
The problem is fans, not the band

2 songs in video games, with 50 million plus views on YouTube per video. They aren't exactly underrated...

Avengers foREVer.. Rip jimmy. They should be on top, and always be! Eternally forever!

I wouldn't say they're underrated, just hated on by most people for no good reason!

18 Soilwork Soilwork is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Helsingborg. They are signed to Nuclear Blast. Formed in late 1995 by Björn Strid and Peter Wichers, originally under the name Inferior Breed, the band changed their name in late 1996 to Soilwork.
19 Blind Guardian Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres. Heavily influenced by Queen, they use the technique of overdubbing. They also incorporate large ...read more.

They are the only metal band I know that has been improving over time - every next album is better than the previous one. Altogether 10 albums and almost 30 years of exemplary musicianship.

I just listened to their 2015 album and 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 never seeing them in the top 10 best bands breaks my heart - instead of true metal bands like Blind Guardian I usually see poser bands in the top 10s.

These guys are very good and their amount of skill and talent shows in their music. Every album they make, they aim to surpass their last, and they do it every time. These guys have quality music and their skill is way beyond any other metal band I've heard

Based on their awesome 2015 album - Blind Guardian are also the new gods of symphonic metal!

Blind Guardian - top 10 most underrated!

20 Neurosis Neurosis is a post-metal band, based in Oakland, California. They formed in 1985 as a hardcore punk band, and their sound progressed towards a doom metal style that also included influences from dark ambient and industrial music as well as incorporating elements of folk music.
21 Exodus Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1979 in Richmond, California. Spanning a career of 37 years, Exodus has gone through numerous lineup changes, two extended hiatuses, and the deaths of two former band members.

Recently discovered how awesome Exodus are. Fabulous Disaster is so good an album I bought it after listening to each song first. A true Thrash band that won't go down without a fight, so get off your ass and Toxic Waltz!

22 Katatonia Katatonia is a Swedish metal band formed in Stockholm in 1991 by Jonas Renkse and Anders Nyström. The band has released nine studio albums spanning the course of three decades, and their tenth studio album, The Fall of Hearts was released on May 20, 2016.

Definitely deserve more shoutouts. I've only heard one song played on the radio and that was at midnight but what makes these people so cool is that they don't rely on screaming vocals or pounding screaming guitars. Sure their latest 2 albums are "soft" but it's the heavy (saddened) tonality that makes them one of my favorites. Depressive rock would be an accurate description, or think of Opeth.

23 Blotted Science Blotted Science is an instrumental technical metal supergroup formed in 2004. It is headed by Ron Jarzombek, bassist Alex Webster and drummer Hannes Grossmann.

Alex Webster is from Cannibal Corpse, the biggest death metal band out there

24 Project 86 Project 86 is an American alternative metal band that was formed in Orange County, California, in 1996. Primarily categorized within the Christian rock and alternative metal genres, the band has gained recognition for its intense, aggressive sound and thought-provoking lyrics. Over the years, they have released several albums and undergone various lineup changes, but have consistently maintained a... read more
25 Uriah Heep Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 that was one of the top rock bands in the early 1970s. Twelve of the band's albums have made it to the UK Albums Chart (Return to Fantasy reached No. 7 in 1975). Uriah Heep's distinctive features include a massive keyboard sound, strong vocal ...read more.
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