Top Ten Shock Rock Bands

Not based on music style or talent this list is simply the a time bands that scare the hell out of you live.

The Top Ten

1 Marilyn Manson Marilyn Manson Marilyn Manson is an American rock band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Formed in 1989 by frontman Marilyn Manson and Daisy Berkowitz, the group was originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids with their theatrical performances gathering a local cult following in the early 1990s. ...read more.

Marilyn Manson is the most controversial and shocking musicians in music history. His theatrical stage antics have sparked protests; which have included burning the American flag and ripping and burning the bible.

I am personally more fond of 80's gothic rock, it wasn't until recently I got interested in shock rock, and I have to say, I use to despise this band for the whole "baby-goth" image they have, but I actually began to listen to the music, and I must say, I found a new favorite, great guitar solos, great live performance, and I just love how wild and crazy the lead singer's stage charecter is, and how real he seems in interviews, not to mention fabulous taste in stilts and metal head gear, no wonder why lady Gaga likes to dress like him.

Manson is just AWESOME.. The only musician I never ever get bored on listening again and again. And he is my favourite. His songs are rich in sounds. Variety of sounds. And everything perfectly matches.

Amazing man and band!

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2 Alice Cooper Alice Cooper Alice Cooper was an American rock band formed in Phoenix, Arizona in 1964. The band consisted of lead singer Vince Furnier, Glen Buxton, Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway, and Neal Smith.

No one does it better than Alice and that includes even today in late 2017. He still tours 9 months a year and still uses all of his trademark theatrics and the music stands the test of time and he is never crude or vulgar to make his point. A class act and the greatest hard rocker ever. - warrantsbestgirl

The undisputed master of shock. Might not scare many people now but back in the day Alice's live show was hugely controversial

Before KISS, before Marylin Manson before any other shock rock band even dared to appear Alice Cooper took his persona and show to new height and is truly the founding father of Shock Rock

Alice is amazing

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3 GWAR GWAR Gwar, often styled as GWAR, is an American heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984, composed of and operated by a frequently rotating line-up of musicians, artists and filmmakers collectively known as Slave Pit Inc.

While Alice Cooper did all the stuff to himself and all of mansons stuff was super anti religion and sexual. They didn't maim animatronics of celebrities and politicians, their lead singer didn't a cuttle fish thing around their penis that sprayed fake blood, they didn't have fake blood cannons worked by slaves, on the topic of the slaves non of those bands had slave characters but gwar did. Also the crowds at the other shows didn't sprayed with fake piss, sperm and blood

Gwar is awesome thrash metal!

Gwar are just amazing their vocals are awesome just as good as anal c***

Gwar guts animatronic celebrities on stage and let the fake blood, urine and sperm spray on the crowd.

4 Black Sabbath Black Sabbath Black Sabbath were a Heavy Metal band formed in Birmingham, England in 1968 by guitarist and songwriter Tony Iommi, Singer Ozzy Osbourne, Bassist and Main Lyricist Geezer Butler and Drummer Bill Ward. The band got into mainstream after improving after their debut album got negative feedback. In 1978, ...read more.

Some of you may not call them shock rock but ozzy Osborne had freightened the mainstream public with horror imagery dark heavy music and theatric stage shows when rock and roll was about peace love and happiness not to mention gene Simmons Marilyn Manson and Alice cooper pay respects to them

They influenced so much music; they definitely should be higher

Love sabbath, ozzy is a shocking man, but they aren't shock rock - ryanrimmel

They are the godfathers of shock rock. They should be higher.

5 W.A.S.P. W.A.S.P. W.A.S.P. is an American heavy metal band formed in 1982 by Blackie Lawless, who is the only remaining original member of the band.

They were formed in 1982, and KISS was formed in 1973. KISS did it first. But W.A.S.P. did it better. The thing I hate about KISS is that every member of the band is scum. That is not true of W.A.S.P.

They should be #1... They invited shock rock (along with KISS), true true legends... They began it all, man!... Ahh memories when I was a kid, damm--how time flys---sunset strip where are you know? , man, laugh out loud.

Best shock rock band of all time

Number 1 cause I'm a wild child come an love me

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6 Kiss Kiss Kiss is an American hard rock band formed in New York City in January 1973 by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and the band's original manager, Lew Linet.

After Alice Cooper in the early 70's there was nothing more terrifying to parents other than KISS

Kiss are awesome, heavy,mean and dirty when they need to be and also downright poppy and disco at other times. Shocking! But seriously their live shows are what defined shock rock in the 70's and influenced bands like Slipknot.

You wanted the best you got the best KISS

I absolutley love Alice Cooper, but I had to vote for Kiss since it was so low. Along with Alice Cooper, Kiss pretty much invented shock rock. They perfected it. - HardRockSam

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7 Lordi Lordi Lordi are a Finnish hard rock/heavy metal band, formed in 1992 by the band's lead singer, songwriter and costume maker, Mr Lordi.

They are more more better than gwar

They are more better than gwar

Lordi is the best finnish band and more better than gwar

The best shock rock band of this century

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

Shocking music and lyrics. King Diamond was always a little sloppy on stage. I wish he had the energy the music of Mercyful Fate exerted

9 Iron Maiden Iron Maiden Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. The most critically acclaimed period for the band was from 1983-1989. With vocalist Bruce Dickinson, bassist Steve Harris, lead guitarist Dave Murray, rhythm guitarist Adrian ...read more.

Iron Maiden has no place in shock rock. Maiden is top tier music - Johnnyt800

Bring your daughter to the slaughter!

10 White Zombie White Zombie White Zombie was an American heavy metal band that formed in 1985. Based in New York City, White Zombie was originally a noise rock band, and was known for its later heavy metal-oriented sound.

So much better than Manson, where's John 5 now? Enough said.

The Contenders

11 Rammstein Rammstein Rammstein is a German Neue Deutsche Härte and Industrial Metal band consisting of Till Lindemann (vocals), Richard Kruspe (guitar), Paul Landers (guitar), Oliver Riedel (electric bass), Christoph Schneider (drums) and Christian Lorenz (keyboard), that formed in 1994 in Berlin . ...read more.

Their songs, music videos, and performances are all very controversial. They're the masters of shock rock.

Their performance of Bück Dich got two of the members arrested one time.

12 King Diamond King Diamond Kim Bendix Petersen, better known by his stage name King Diamond, is a Danish heavy metal musician. He is known for his extensive vocal range, usually sung in falsetto. King Diamond was originally known as the vocalist for Mercyful Fate, but has become notorious for his horror themed Concept albums ...read more.
13 Misfits Misfits Misfits are an American Horror Punk band often recognized as the progenitors of the horror punk subgenre, blending punk rock and other musical influences with horror film themes and imagery.

One of my Favourite bands and I'm only 14 come on guys this should be higher

14 Motley Crue Motley Crue Mötley Crüe was an American metal band formed in Los Angeles, California on January 17, 1981. The group was founded by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, lead vocalist Vince Neil and lead guitarist Mick Mars.

Honestly after reading their book they are more shocking than manson, only ozzy can surpass them in crazy. My fave band of all time but not really shock rock

The most shocking moment is when Nikki Sixx was lit on fire during the filming of live wire. So they were considered shock rock at that time.

Mick Mars also had blood spitting out similar to Gene Simmons of Kiss.

Motley Crue aren't shock rock

15 Slipknot Slipknot Slipknot is an American Heavy Metal band formed in 1995 from Iowa. The band is best known as one of the pioneers of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal during the late 1990s - 2000s and are distinguishable by the band's clothing choices, consisting of black/red jumpsuits and horror inspired masks. ...read more.

Anyone who has seen these guys live knows why they made the list. Every time I see them I bring extra pair of pants incase I piss myself from watching one of them almost get their head ripped off.

Really intense terafiying masks love them maggot for life

16 Arthur Brown

I'M THE GOD OF HELL FIRE AND I BRING YOU FIRE! No Arthur Brown would mean no Alice Cooper

17 Slayer Slayer Slayer is an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California, formed in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. They rose to fame with their 1986 album Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the big four of thrash metal bands, the others being Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. ...read more.

They have some of the most blasphemous songs you can ever imagine. Just listen to Raining Blood, Angel of Death, Disciple, and Jihad and come back and tell me that wasn't shocking! Not to mention their graphic and offensive album covers.

The funny thing is that the lead singer of this band is Catholic.

18 Gorgoroth Gorgoroth Gorgoroth is a Norwegian black metal band based in Bergen. Formed in 1992 by Infernus, the band is named after the dead plateau of evil and darkness in the land of Mordor (a fictional location in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings).

Gorgoroth's live shows are brutal. They are also the only band that actually worships the devil. And they have reportedly murdered people on stage. Think ill stick to watching these guys on YouTube..

Not to mention they had naked crucifixes and real live goat heads on stakes onstage.

Gogoroth should be number 1 because they're actually crazy.

19 Ramstien

Clearly nobody has seen Rammstein live otherwise they would be number one. Marilyn Manson is woeful live. A mention that Tool could have been included in the top ten.

They're already on the list.

They're far more edgy than Marilyn Manson.

I love manson but ramstein was to low

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20 Cannible Corpse

CC is on here because of their lyrics. Truely some of the grossest song names and album covers in music came from cannible corpse.

Misspelled Cannibal Corpse.

21 Black Veil Brides Black Veil Brides Black Veil Brides is an American rock band currently consisting of Andy Biersack (vocals), Jinxx (guitar), Jake Pitts (guitar), Christian Coma (drums) and Ashley Purdy (bass), that formed in 2006 in Ohio. ...read more.

The best shock rock band out there

Great awesome real shock rock music

Real shock rock bands!

Only the best of the best shock rock bamds

22 Venom Venom Venom are an English extreme metal band formed in 1979 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Coming to prominence towards the end of the new wave of British heavy metal, Venom's first two albums—Welcome to Hell and Black Metal—are considered a major influence on thrash metal and extreme metal in general.

One of the first bands to play the satan worshipers card. Hugely influential on shock bands to come.

23 Christian Death
24 GG Allin GG Allin Kevin Michael "GG" Allin (born Jesus Christ Allin; 1956-1993) was an American singer, songwriter and record producer, who performed and recorded with many groups during his career. He was best known for his graphic live performances which included self-mutilation, parading around the stage naked, fighting ...read more.

Anyone that disagrees obviously has absolutely zero knowledge about "shock rock"

25 Anal C*** Anal C*** Anal C*** was an American grindcore band founded by vocalist Seth Putnam in 1988. The band is known for their highly offensive lyrics which included themes of misogyny, homophobia, racism, Nazism, antisemitism, and schadenfreude (ridicule of the unfortunate). Their music has been received negatively ...read more.

Being only at 27 on this list is gay

26 Nine Inch Nails Nine Inch Nails Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock/metal band and, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio.

To reasons why they're on here. Closer music video and happiness in slavery. Both were banned but Happiness in slavery took it a step further

Even though they're not shock rock, the music videos to Closer and Happiness in Slavery were both pretty disturbing.

27 AFI
28 Antis
29 IDSFA

Put on a great show need to do a few more show love the music

30 Infant Annihilator Infant Annihilator
31 Mushroomhead Mushroomhead Mushroomhead is an American nu metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in 1993 in the Cleveland Warehouse District, the band is known for their avant-garde sound which includes influence from heavy metal, art rock and electro-industrial and their imagery which features masks and costumes as well as ...read more.
32 Sex Pistols Sex Pistols The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band formed in London in 1975. Although they initially lasted just two and a half years and produced only four singles and one studio album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, they are considered one of the most influential acts in the history ...read more.
33 Twisted Sister Twisted Sister Twisted Sister is an American heavy metal band originally from Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, and later based in Long Island, New York.

Really? Does anyone remember I wanna rock?! We're not gonna take it?! People have lost their minds if they don't remember this band!

34 Mentors

They were known for their sexist lyrics.

35 Iggy Pop Iggy Pop James Newell Osterberg, Jr., known professionally as Iggy Pop, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actor.
36 Tool Tool Tool is an American progressive/alternative metal band, that was formed in 1990. ...read more.
37 Mayhem Mayhem Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1984 in Oslo, regarded as one of the pioneers of the Norwegian black metal scene. The band is also known for the infamous events surrounding them including the 1991 suicide of vocalist Dead (in which former guitarist Euronymous took pictures of Dead's ...read more.

Pure satanic metal alongside Gorgoroth.

Satanic music. Alright. - Disturbedpotato

38 Bathory Bathory Bathory was a Swedish Black/Viking Metal band formed in 1983 by Quorthon and Jonas Åkerlund. Bathory's first 4 albums layed the blueprint for Scandinavian Black Metal. Quorthon is often credited with creating the "shrieking" vocal style of Black Metal. Their 5th album, Hammerheart (1990) displayed ...read more.

They use satanic lyrics just to shock people.

39 Cattle Decapitation Cattle Decapitation Cattle Decapitation is an American Deathgrind band from San Diego, California formed in 1996. Cattle Decapitation's songs protest the mistreatment and consumption of animals, the abuse of the environment and touch subjects such as misanthropy and genocide of the human race. Much of their music is based ...read more.

Watch the music video to Forced Gender Reassignment and you'll see why they deserve to be on here.

40 Throbbing Gristle Throbbing Gristle Throbbing Gristle were an English music and visual arts group formed in 1976 in Kingston upon Hull. The band comprised Genesis P-Orridge, Cosey Fanni Tutti, Peter "Sleazy" Christopherson and Chris Carter.

If you've ever seen them live then you know why they deserve a spot on the list.

41 Ministry Ministry Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer and only original member Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a new wave synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the mid-1980s.
42 Cradle of Filth Cradle of Filth Cradle of Filth are a British extreme metal band that formed in Suffolk in 1991. The band's musical style evolved from black metal to a cleaner and more "produced" amalgam of gothic metal, symphonic black metal and other extreme metal styles.
43 Pig Destroyer Pig Destroyer Pig Destroyer is an American grindcore band formed in 1997 in Alexandria, Virginia. The band was formed by vocalist J. R. Hayes, guitarist Scott Hull, and drummer John Evans, later replaced by Brian Harvey.
44 Possessed Possessed Possessed is an American thrash/death metal band, originally formed in 1983 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Noted for their fast style of playing and Jeff Becerra's guttural vocals, they are routinely called the first band in the death metal genre. Possessed is the sometimes credited with being the first ...read more.
45 Death Death 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 ...read more.
46 Torture Killer
47 Impaled
48 Regurgitate
49 Butthole Surfers Butthole Surfers Butthole Surfers is an American rock band formed by Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary in San Antonio, Texas in 1981.
50 Combichrist
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