Rock/Metal Bands that Should Try a Different Genre of Rock/Metal

The Top Ten
1 Iron Maiden - Power Metal

Absolutely possible.

2 Slayer - Death Metal

Slayer would pave the way for Extreme Metal (I don't really consider Thrash Metal extreme, save for some bands). Some of Slayer's songs can be considered "Proto-Death Metal" songs (Not really Death Metal, but the main influence is easily identifiable) such as "Angel of Death", "Jesus Saves" and "War Ensemble".

But yeah, Slayer should probably experiment with Death Metal in the near-future. It should be interesting.

Would Be Interesting If They Had Tried What They Sort Of Created

3 Blind Guardian - Progressive Metal 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.

Their stuff after 2000 incorporated almost all elements of progressive metal so they can do this, too. They have talent and are capable of writing and performing very complex songs, even live. Their symphonic metal songs prove it (Wheel Of Time) as well as their progressive power metal songs - And Then There Was Silence.

4 Testament - Death Metal Testament is an American thrash metal band from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1983 under the name Legacy, the band consists of vocalist Chuck Billy, guitarists Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick, bassist Steve DiGiorgio and drummer Gene Hoglan.

Testament experimented with Death Metal conventions with their mid-late 90s albums. Chuck Billy does have vocals that can go as far as growling, which is evident even in more recent albums. I'd say Death Metal would be a good alternative for Testament, should they attempt it fully.

Chuck Billy growls pretty good. And because X-mas is around the corner, find this song on YT and hear his death growls: Silent Night - by Chuck Billy, Scott Ian, Jon Donais, Chris Wyse, John Tempesta.

5 Anthrax - Power Metal

Yes, they can do it, with Joey Belladonna - his vocal skills are good enough to do the demanding power metal vocals.

Especially With Songs Like In The End

6 Death - Thrash Metal Death was an American death metal band formed in 1983 by Chuck Schuldiner. Death is considered to be one of the most influential bands in heavy metal and a pioneering force in death metal. Its debut album, Scream Bloody Gore, has been widely regarded as the first death metal record, while the band's driving force, Chuck Schuldiner, is acknowledged as the "Godfather of Death Metal." Death released 7 studio albums, and are the band that started the Florida Death Metal scene. They were known for their death metal classics Lack of Comprehension and Crystal Mountain. Death ended in 2001 when Schuldiner died of Brain Cancer.
7 Queen - Heavy Metal Queen are an English rock band formed in London in 1970. The original lineup was Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), and John Deacon (bass guitar, vocals). Before forming into Queen, Brian May and Roger Taylor had played together in a band named Smile. Freddie Mercury was a fan of Smile and encouraged them to experiment with more elaborate stage and recording techniques. He then joined the band in 1970, suggested "Queen" as a new band name, and adopted his familiar stage name. John Deacon was also recruited to complete the line-up. ...read more.

They can do it, I mean they almost did it.

8 Van Halen - Heavy Metal Van Halen was an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. From 1974 until 1985, the band consisted of guitarist Eddie Van Halen, vocalist David Lee Roth, drummer Alex Van Halen, and bassist Michael Anthony.

Yes, they have enough talent to play metal - Eddie VH and David Lee Roth are extremely talented. Sadly, these two wasted their talent on silly poppy glam songs.

For example - Eruption. Is influential towards many hard rock and metal bands. especially the tapping part.

9 Metallica - Power Metal

They can do this but I think James Hetfield voice isn't a power metal voice and their songs are not gonna sound like power metal songs.

10 Pantera - Thrash Metal Pantera was an American heavy metal band formed in 1981 by guitarist Dimebag Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul. The band started out as a glam metal act in the 1980s with little success. After discarding their original lead vocalist and enlisting Phil Anselmo, the band signed a major record deal with Warner Music Group via Atco Records. Around this time, Pantera underwent a major change in their musical... read more

I guess some of Pantera's discography can be considered Thrash Metal is some ways. Even then, they did influence a Thrash spinoff in the form of Groove Metal.

If You Listen To Rise And Hostile The You Could See Pantera Doing Thrash

I agree - they had what it takes.

The Contenders
11 Megadeth - Power Metal

I don't know - power metal vocals are very demanding: vocals are epic and pretty operatic, with a wide range and vocal skills above the average in metal. There's a funny yet accurate video on youtube by SteveTerreberry "How To Be POWER METAL! ". Watch this video and you will understand better what I mean regarding the vocals.

12 Disturbed - Groove Metal

David Draiman Sang A Live Cover Of The Song Walk With Breaking Benjamin and His Voice is Perfect For Groove Metal

They used to be a band called Brawl and played Groove Metal so this would work

13 Guns N' Roses - Heavy Metal

I won't say power metal. But Guns N' Roses has/had lot of potentiality to become heavy metal. Axl Rose's vocals is very powerful. He could sing in heavy metal.

14 Slipknot - Groove Metal

Corey Taylor Has The Perfect Voice For Groove Metal

15 Pantera - Doom Metal

I agree they can - doom metal is the easiest to play. Every metal musician who can play another metal subgenre, can play doom, too.

If You Listen To Their Cover Of Electric Funeral By Black Sabbath Then They Could Do Doom Metal With A Groovy Twist

16 Blind Guardian - Thrash Metal 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 almost did it - their first albums in the 80s were speed metal but is was very thrashy and aggressive speed metal (songs - Majesty, Banish From Sanctuary). Their 1995 album was pretty heavy, too - sounds like a more melodic version of Slayer (song - Another Holy War, The Script for My Requiem). They can do it - they have speed and a very versatile singer (Hansi).

17 Megadeth - Technical Thrash Metal Megadeth is an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. Megadeth was formed in 1983 by guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson, shortly after Mustaine was fired from Metallica. They have released 15 studio albums to date, and have gone through many lineup changes, with Dave Mustaine being the sole constant member.

They released their debut album “Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!” in 1985, but became successful after the release of “Peace Sells...But Who’s Buying?” in 1986. ...read more.
18 Avenged Sevenfold - Groove Metal

If You Listen To The Cover Of Walk They Could Be A Great Band If They Did Groove Metal Rather Than The Stuff They Do

Wow why did I ever think Walk by A7X was a good cover I was an idiot then again I Used To Capitalize Every Word so yeah

19 Metallica - Groove Metal Metallica is an American Heavy/Thrash Metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup was James Hetfield (Vocalist and Rhythm guitarist), Dave Mustaine (Lead Guitar), Lars Ulrich (Drums), Ron McGovney (Bassist). The group came into mainstream from their Self-Titled album and the hit single "Enter Sandman".

With their first two albums, Kill 'Em All and Ride The Lightning reaching underground success, their third effort, Master of Puppets has since become one of the most important heavy metal albums ever, as it became the first thrash metal album to be certified platinum. The title track has since become the band's most played song live. ...read more.

The Black Album is a little bit Groovy so this could work

20 Dio - Thrash Metal Dio was an American heavy metal band formed in 1982 and led by vocalist Ronnie James Dio, after he left Black Sabbath with intentions to form a new band with fellow former Black Sabbath member, drummer Vinny Appice.

No. 1) Dio voice isn't enough abrasive and aggressive for thrash. 2) Why make him sing songs that require less vocal skills than his own songs?

21 21 Pilots - Hard Rock

No they sound to pop like to be Hard Rock. They can't wail like Brian Johnson or scream like Sebastian Bach.

Just No The Lead Singer Cannot Sing Like Axl Rose or Brian Johnson

HELL NO they cannot do this at all

22 Judas Priest - Thrash Metal Judas Priest are a British heavy metal band that formed in Birmingham, England, in 1969. They are often referred to as one of the greatest metal bands of all time, and are even commonly called “The Metal Gods”, after one of the songs on their 1980 album “British Steel”.

They are known for several of their hit songs, which include “Painkiller”, “Breaking The Law”, You’ve Got Another Thing Coming”, and “Turbo Lover”.
Their original lineup consisted of Al Atkins (vocals), K.K. Downing (lead/rhythm guitar), Ian Hill (bass), and John Ellis (drums). Atkins never recorded on any Judas Priest releases, but contributed to several songs. ...read more.

Jugulator is a great example they would have a great sound for thrash as for Vocals not sure about if they can with Halford or Ripper Owens

23 Guns N' Roses - Power Metal Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1985. The classic lineup, as signed to Geffen Records in 1986, consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. Apart from hard rock they are also associated with heavy metal. ...read more.

Agree with BoredJeff about the vocals. Also, Slash plays bluesy stuff that isn't very fast compared to the neoclassical guitars in power metal.

I don't know Axl Rose doesn't have a Power Metal kind of voice.

24 Metallica - Hard Rock Metallica is an American Heavy/Thrash Metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup was James Hetfield (Vocalist and Rhythm guitarist), Dave Mustaine (Lead Guitar), Lars Ulrich (Drums), Ron McGovney (Bassist). The group came into mainstream from their Self-Titled album and the hit single "Enter Sandman".

With their first two albums, Kill 'Em All and Ride The Lightning reaching underground success, their third effort, Master of Puppets has since become one of the most important heavy metal albums ever, as it became the first thrash metal album to be certified platinum. The title track has since become the band's most played song live. ...read more.

The House That Jack Built Proves This Could Work

25 Soundgarden - Thrash Metal Soundgarden was an American grunge/alternative metal band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Chris Cornell died on May 17th, 2017.
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