Most Underrated Metal Bands

The Top Ten
1 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.

I totally agree that Annihilator should be the most underrated band on this list. They are extremely talented and sound like they should have been a lot more famous than they are. Never, never land is seriously one of the most complexed and greatest albums I have ever purchased, with amazingly underrated songs like "the fun palace", "stonewall", and the title track "never never land", which brought me to tears. Don't even get me started on the album "Alice In Hell." Jeff Waters is truly one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and annihilator has been full of musicians for whom the same can be said about. And the solo in "the fun palace" is absolutely eargasmic. It is their #1 greatest song in my opinion. Next would be alison hell. They also have many other honorable albums with amazing songs, such as "Set the world on fire", and "king of the kill", and many more. I don't know how I ever discovered annihilator, but this band has been a gift from God to my ears.

The best band I've experienced. They have so many good songs. And some are the best you'll ever hear. Jeff waters the best guitarist and most underrated. And the concert they perform is just too awesome and jeff never miss a note.

Obviously this entire list is silly and useless. Many of these bands had a lot of success. Also, the definition of underrated are Voivod and they are nowhere to be found. I guess metal fans are just as dumb and tone-deaf as pop fans.

The Fun Palace is probably the most underrated metal solo ever. Alison Hell is also a very underrated thrash song and is on par with many of the popular ones.

2 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.

The most musically powerful band I have ever heard, their music is truly breathtaking and atmosphere is purely incredible. EXTREMELY underrated

Hall of the mountain king should be used to resurrection.

Savatage OF COURSE is the most underrated band ever. Have you heard Criss Oliva? There are so many respectuful musicians out there, people who made an impact and gave something to the world. Oliva is that something but never ever gets mentioned. His brother Jon. Great vocalist, composer. Even after Jon really talented guys took the helm of the Savatage ship and brush a masterpiece with their talents. Savatage is one gem of a band, it sadeness me that they are not more popular because they definitely worth it.

Musically, one of the most unique and talented bands...ever. No other bands have had the ability to blend metal and classical themes to their music and have it sound so natural.

3 Iced Earth Iced Earth is an American heavy metal band from Tampa, Florida. It was formed in 1984 under the name Rose, then Purgatory, by guitarist and main songwriter Jon Schaffer, and original drummer Greg Seymour. The band's music has also been described as thrash metal and power metal.

They released their debut album in 1990 and have since released twelve studio albums, four EPs, three compilations,... read more

Like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Jon Schaffer had a baby. Listen to their cover songs, listen the Blessed and the Damned double album to get a near perfect mix of what is Iced Earth. You can't not love the SUPER tight heavy riffs ands amazing vocals.

I agree - a very underrated band. It's sad because they have very good songs - well written and well executed. Songs with very well balanced doses of heavy and melodic, with great vocals.

Incredible Musicians,incredible songwriting,incredible vocals. If you need a band to teach you how good metal can be,look no further. Dante's Inferno is among the best metal songs ever written. They're a perfect mix of Power,Thrash,Progressive and pure Heavy Metal.

4 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, ...read more.

Underrated? Probably one of the best rock bands that ever exists! And known or heard (Smoke on the Water) by probably everyone on this planet who's got a radio. Deep Purple on a underrated list? NEVER

One of the fathers of Heavy Metal music

They just invented metal along with Black Sabbath
Listen to the album "In Rock", there's a lot of heavy metal in there
The problem is that people only recognize them as a mediocre hard rock band

This band deserves every credit.

5 Dream Theater Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band from Boston, Massachusetts. The band was formed in 1985 under the name of "Majesty", only to change its name to Dream Theater later.

The members of the band’s original lineup consisted of John Petrucci (Guitar), John Myung (Bass) and Mike Portnoy (Drums). The band had multiple keyboardists and singers, but as of and since 1991, the band's... read more

No doubt, great musicians, great band. But I wouldn't call them underrated anymore - in 2013 they were nominated for a Grammy Award (lost out to Black Sabbath) and they are also very popular even among non-metal fans.
Critical acclaim and popularity don't speak underrated.

Not much to say, their songs are extremely well written, and amazing work on each of the instruments, and no one gives them the credit they deserve

This band is the epitome of talent in metal, people should support good music by dedicated musicians and that is exactly what these guys are.

6 Metal Church Metal Church is an American heavy metal band. They originally formed in San Francisco, California in 1980 before relocating to Aberdeen, Washington the following year and briefly using the name Shrapnel.

Highly underrated within the thrash metal movement. These guys invented one of the greatest genres of metal ever and The Dark is a masterpiece of an album.

Listen to beyond the black, just incredible. Don't like the voice? Listen to Watch the children pray. Badlands is amazing, and metal church is a great song as well. Gods of wrath is an absolute masterpiece and merciless onslaught is an underplayed instrumental song. As well as being an incredible band, barely anyone knows them. WHAT. A. SHAME.

Annihilator and Savatage are definitely underrated, but Metal Church is the most underrated, they was there when Thrash Metal come out and they play perfectly, yet they don't have big recognition, they would be one of the greatest Metal bands ever

This band is definitely underrated. They are known for "Metal Church" and "The Dark". I would highly recommend listening to their last three records. A Light In The Dark, This Present Wasteland, and Generation Nothing. They are great albums!

7 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.

I know them for the same reason anyone else does, the big metal bands cover Am I Evil all the time. But they have more than just that, check them out and you'll see they're more than just an old metal band.

Definitely the most underrated Heavy Metal band off all time. They've got a lot of great musical masterpieces which are still unknown to the public.

They influenced Metallica and Megadeth. They make great music, but aren't even a little popular. They are just underrated

While I ADORE Metallica, no one knows Diamond Head except for covers they think Metallica wrote.

8 Pro-Pain

Mexicans are stupid and throw paper on the ground. Trump 2016!

Great metal band should be much bigger

Make war not love!

9 Sevendust Sevendust is an American alternative metal quintet from Atlanta, dating back to 1994.

The band was initially formed by Vince Hornsby (bassist) and Morgan Rose (drummer) under the name Snake Nation. John Connolly (guitarist) and Lajon Witherspoon (lead vocalist) would later join along with Clint Lowery (guitarist) and they would be renamed Rumblefish. After finding out the name was taken, they changed their name to Crawlspace, releasing the song "My Ruin" to the Mortal Kombat soundtrack called "More Kombat". The name Crawlspace belonged to yet another band, and they settled on the name Sevendust after an insecticide brand called "Sevin Dust". ...read more.

Why are they not number 1? They are easily one of the best metal bands to come out of the 1990s. They are definitely more underrated than Tool. Sevendust is better than similar bands like Godsmack but they don't get half the attention.

Sevendust have about ten albums to their name, but have not gotten the same amount of atttention as other bands around them (like Disturbed). Worth checking out, as they have a wide selection of songs.

100% sevendust is an underrated band

Just listen to them...

10 Queensryche Queensrÿche is an American progressive heavy metal band formed in 1982 in Bellevue, Washington, out of the local band the Mob. They released their self titled EP in 1984, but didn’t gain notoriety until the release of their critically acclaimed album Operation: Mindcrime in 1988. As of now, they have one EP, and 15 studio albums.

Early on these guys realeased music that rivaled Maiden and Priest. Geoff Tate had a range that would damage your hearing...None better than he Halford. Check out tunes llike En Force, NM156, Take Hold of the Flame, Neue Regal, The Whisper, and Screaming In Digital...this brand of Metal was in a league of its own. MindCrime was the sleeper of the 80s...it's an album that you listen start to finish. 90s had great albums too...too many great songs to list.

They used to be really popular with albums like Mindcrime and Empire. But after Dream Theater burst onto the scene with Images and Words, they pretty much lost the prog metal crown.

Nothing about Queensryche? Not many people listen to them ( at least compared to other bands)..

The Contenders
11 Tool Tool is an American alternative metal/progressive metal band, that was formed in 1990. ...read more.

Tool is classical music for the modern day. People wish they could convey in their own lessons and musicianship with even an ounce of what Tool have in every album. Their musicianship will be legend come not too long.

I agree with that statement below that I will quote: If Bach, Beethoven and Mozart were alive, they would be listening to tool, as they make the most complex, yet beautifully compelling music today.

Tool is a great band, but they are NOT underrated in any way. Tool is an instantly recognizable band by any dedicated metal fan. Tool is, though good, very OVERrated.

They wouldn't be underrated if they didn't have such a great passion for their own music. They refuse to put any of their content on popular streaming sites such as apple music, spotify etc.

12 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.

After the movie " Anvil the story of Anvil" I quickly started buying up their records. They are my among my favorite bands now. Anvil are the most real metal you'll ever hear.

Inventors of thrash. Sure, Exodus and Metallica wrote the first pure thrash, but the stuff that influenced them was Anvil.

I've seen them live three times and I know why big bands didn't let them open for them. Anvil would blow 'em away!

The real inventors of Thrash Metal! They Need more attention. Listen to Motormount!

13 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 amounts of orchestral arrangements. Hansi Kürsch creates a huge choir effect by overdubbing his own voice multiple times in complex, overlapping harmonies. Thanks to overdubs and numerous backing vocals Blind Guardian stand out with a very dense sound.

They are criminally underrated and unfortunately - on this list, too. They should be in the top 10.
They are brilliant, they're perfectionists - studio and live. They don't play some commercial metal or some easy songs. They play really fast and heavy speed metal (almost thrash), prog power metal with tons of complex arrangements, and recently - amazing symphonic metal.

They are absolute legends who deserve to be in the top 10 bands of all time. I mean there are bands like metallica or slipknot who get elected into the top 10 but they are barely in top 30, and it makes me so sad. blind guardian and amorphis both deserve to be in the top 10

LMAO... how are they underrated when they're voted the best power metal band on this same site at the same time?

14 Fear Factory Fear Factory is an American industrial metal band that was formed in 1989. During the band's career, it has released nine full-length albums and has evolved through a succession of styles, including industrial metal, death metal, groove metal, and thrash metal.

Definitely underrated, they defined a brand new genre of music combining industrial music with crushing groove and death metal, and the first band who used clean vocals in death metal. Innovative and very underrated.

15 Sepultura Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte. Their first album, Morbid Visions presented a proto-black metal sound with Wagner Lamounier of Sarcófago. Sepultura's sound varies by the album, from thrash metal, groove metal, and even death metal.

This is one of my favorite bands because they are so raw and pure Metal m/.
There was a time that I thought of why are they not in the Big Four but now I realize that how more underrated you are the more real Metalheads you get. Haha

Their songs are masterpieces, but people dislike Max Cavalera's personal views.

Sepultura Are Hated Because They Are From Brasil.Jeez,Max Are Better Than Metallica.

Great band, but not underrated.

16 Chimaira Chimaira was an American alternative metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in 1998, the group was a notable member of the New Wave of American Alternative Metal scene.

The most amazing band on this list! Their riffs are just intense and they are like a modern Pantera with their groove metal/metalcore style.

Such an under-appreciated band. The Impossibility of Reason is a banger of an album!

17 Black Label Society Black Label Society is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1998 by Zakk Wylde.

Everyone knows zakk for his shredding and pinch harmonics.. but not many know him for his amazing song writing ability. Listen to his acoustic material like hangover music or book of shadows. Stuff is great

I think Black Label Society is really underrated, they are not very known even by many metal fans... the Zakk solos are really good and his voice is awesome!

Deserves so much more recognition! Zakk rocks

In This River - R.I. P Dimebag

How can you beat the voice of these guys?

18 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.

One of my all time favourite bands and one of the most underrated in my opinion,I especially love the vocalist, he has a very unique sound which is rare in more modern thrash. I highly advise you check out some of their stuff, I recommend starting with the albums "Act III" or "The Evil Divide" (their most recent album). Some songs I would recommend are "lost", "father of lies" "The Moth", "the ultra violence" and a room with a viewc great alll round thrash band

Listen to their album "The Dream Calls for Blood". Especially their song "Territorial Instinct/Bloodlust". It will blow you away.

19 Pinkly Smooth Pinkly Smooth is an American experimental rock band formed in 2001. The group consisted of Synyster Gates and The Rev from Avenged Sevenfold, among others. Their music incorporates elements of punk, ska, and progressive rock, creating a unique and eclectic sound. Despite having released only one EP titled "Unfortunate Snort," Pinkly Smooth has garnered a cult following for their unconventional approach to rock music.

I bet not even all A7X fans have heard of this. Their one album was mind blowing and had a really experimental and creative sound. The Rev was a true musical talent and it is demonstrated not only in A7X's songs, but in Pinkly Smooth's album Unfortunate Snort. A great band overall.

RIP Jimmy! I always loved hearing your music, this one album for this band that you did really showed your crazy, but amazing, personality! Thanks for making this Jimmy!

Pinkly Smooth is much more then the band Pinkly Smooth is what happens when you give The Rev and Synyster Gates a pen

This is a band with crazy songs from a crazy singer what else do you want

20 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.

Demon hunter is one of the best core metal bands

Great band, they have amazing albums.

21 Havok Havok is an American thrash metal band from Denver, Colorado. Formed in 2004, their members currently consist of David Sanchez, Nick Schendzielos, Pete Webber, and Reece Scruggs.

This is my favorite new metal band.

22 Opeth Opeth is a Swedish progressive death metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990 by David Isberg, who invited Mikael Akerfeldt into the band as a bassist. Isberg ended up leaving the band, which lead to Mikael becoming the band's vocalist, guitarist, principal songwriter, and driving force. Along with ...read more.

Opeth has some of the best music I have ever heard in my life. Can be complex and intricate or simple and straightforward. Can be insanely heavy and brutal or calm and beautiful. It's progressive death metal that oozes with classical influence. They have some amazing guitar riffs and solos and Mikael Åkerfeldt's death growls are the best I've ever heard, and his singing is absolutely beautiful. How the man can be such a talented songwriter, composer, guitarist and vocalist all at once is beyond me. This band is pure TALENT.

One of the most innovative metal bands of all time. There are no bands that sounds anywhere near to Opeth. Their songs are a fine mix between heavy riffs and beautiful clean melodies. They deserve way more credit than they are getting!

The way Opeth mixes Death Metal with Folk & Prog Rock, makes them one of the most unique bands I have ever heard. Fronted by the brilliant Mikael Åkerfeldt, this band definitely deserves a listen.

They don't get the amount of fans they deserve

23 Sacred Reich

Ignorance, The american way, Surf nicaragua pure thrash, 'nough said

Very underrated.

24 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.

Not metal but influenced bands such as Metallica and still pretty sick

Extremely underrated, one of the founding fathers

25 Candlemass Candlemass is an influential Swedish doom metal band established in Stockholm 1984 by bassist, songwriter and bandleader Leif Edling and drummer Matz Ekström.

These guys are definitely underrated, they have badass songs

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