Top 10 Best Speed Metal Bands

The Top Ten
1 Motörhead Motörhead were an English heavy metal band formed in June 1975 by bassist, singer, and songwriter Ian Fraser "Lemmy" Kilmister, who was the sole constant member; guitarist and songwriter Larry Wallis; and drummer Lucas Fox. The band's harsh vocals and fast paced tempos helped inspire speed metal and... read more

There was time I believed Motorhead were speed metal but currently I think they are probably not metal in general. Borderline metal at best. Maybe their punk-ish attitude influenced thrash metal but not speed metal as we know it now.

Unjust that they are number one, they aren't speed metal. Not even metal according to Lemmy. But if it is neccessary to classified them to be metal, then classified them only to heavy metal, because they aren't speed metal, really not.

I have always loved Motorhead and I always will... I love Megadeth and Metallica but they are not even close to being speed metal. They are thrash metal so they should not be on this list...

2 DragonForce DragonForce are a British power metal band based in London, England. Formed in 1999, the group are known for their long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-themed lyrics, and electronic sounds in their music to add to their retro video game-influenced sound.

AMEN! Dragonforce invented their own exclusive brand of metal, Extreme Power Metal. Operation Ground and Pound, Heroes of our time, Revolution Deathsquad, Fury of the storm, Through the Fire and Flames. There is actually one simple step to be better than Dragonforce.
1. YOU CAN'T
I mean, think about the name. DRAGON FORCE... That just says epicness right there. I'm surprised the drummer hasnt snapped his wrists playing that fast! Shred on, boys!

No doubt about it! DragonForce is THE BEST! Fury of the Storm, Through the Fire and Flames, Fields of Despair, Storming the Burning Fields, Once in a Lifetime,... if someone can say that these song can be beaten I will no longer be a fan of them. But for now, DRAGONFORCE is the best band ever!

3 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

Early Blind Guardian played excellent speed metal. Check out the songs: Majesty, Banish from Sanctuary, Guardian Of The Blind, Journey Through The Dark, The Last Candle, Fast to Madness, Damned for all time.
This list is a total mess because people don't know what speed metal is. Thrash is different from speed metal.

Much more power metal than speed today, Guardian's two or three first albums sure had that speed metal sound to them. Try "Banish from Sanctuary", "Damned for all time" or "Fast to Madness".

4 Helloween Helloween is a German power metal band founded in 1984 in Hamburg, Northern Germany. The band is a pioneering force in the power metal genre, and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I and Part II, are considered masterpieces of the genre.

Helloween themselves don't think they were speed metal. Maybe they are right. I would say their debut album Walls Of Jericho was mostly speed metal but not the albums they made after it (they were power metal).

Helloween is MOSTLY power metal which genre cannot be separated from speed metal.

Helloween is progressive rock, heavy metal, speed metal, power metal, experimental symphonic metal, etc.

-Keeper of the Seven Keys is an amazing record.
- A7X nor Dragonforce are even Speed Metal.
- Helloween has only failed twice, the others (besides Blind Guardian) have many times

5 Accept Accept is a German heavy metal band from the town of Solingen, originally assembled by former vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, guitarist Wolf Hoffmann and bassist Peter Baltes.

Why is Accept in 14th place!? Refer to "Fast As a Shark, " it'll blow your mind. It's a song that was released in 1982. It was the fastest up at that point, no one came close to it.

Accept (one of the pioneers of speed metal) is in #14 because out of the current top 13 bands, only 4 are/were really speed metal bands. The rest are thrash or even death metal, metalcore, hard rock, fast Rock N Roll ... Laugh out loud.

They built the genre along Priest and Motorhead, actually.

Accept No Substitues!

6 Megadeth 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... read more

Their first, second, third and fourth album are masterpieces of this genre.
Listen to "Rattlehead" and "Mechanix" from "Killing Is My Business... And My Business Is Good"... "My Last Words" from "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying"
And "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due" and "Poison Was The Cure" from "Rust
In Peace" and you will realize why Megadeth should be on the 1st place...
Now what I think about the rest of top of this list
But, it's good to known, that speed metal wouldn't exist without motorhead.
Dragonforce is a good band, but they are more likely Power Metal band... Read they're lyrics... And especially they are overrated as hell because of Guitar Hero.
Slayer - this is definitelly not speed metal... They became as NWOBHM band and they became Influential Thrash Metal band with some attributes of Death Metal... But not Speed Metal... They shouldn't be on this list.
Metallica - They were speed metal band when Mustaine was in it... Songs like Phantom Lord, Metal Militia are definitelly good speed metal songs, but +- 10 speed metal songs do not make a "good speed metal band", I like metallica, but they've done definitelly more in thrash genre.
Avenged Sevenfold - One of the best 21st century bands... I know that their music is hard to classify, but in my opinion that is more likely hard rock than speed metal
Helloween - Great speed/power metal band, they deserve to be higher on this list. "Walls Of Jerycho" is one of most important speed metal albums.

7 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

The List Of Top Speed Metal Bands should always start with Deep Purple - the inventors of speed metal. They wrote the first speed metal songs (Hard Lovin' Man, 1970; Fireball, 1971; Highway Star, 1972). Robb Reiner of speed metal band Anvil called them 'early speed metal'. Fireball was the first metal song with double bass drumming but the real speed metal masterpiece was Highway Star.
*** Highway Star is a metal definition: an entirely non-bluesy song which is based on Bach-like chord sequences. Later this non-bluesy sound became the most important feature of metal music - Rainbow, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden made it even more evident.
*** Highway Star was very fast for the early 70s standards, with a memorable riff, breathtaking long & technical solo, Gillan's great vocals and that galloping style (later used by many speed metal bands and bands like Iron Maiden, Iced Earth). To a high degree metal in general was invented in the form of speed metal.

8 Judas Priest 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”... read more

Judas Priest is a bundle of crap... no, sorry, it's the best metal band. I hope you agree with me that Sad Wings of Destiny is one of the best, if not the most underrated, heavy metal albums out there.

So, to make it clear: Painkiller, Sad Wings of Destiny, Screaming for Vengeance, Defenders of the Faith, and Jugulator (the one that reinvented metal) are among the best albums of all time.

It's a good time for Judas Priest with their new album/DVD, Battle Cry. I hope they reach new heights. Basura equals new metal. Judas Priest is the best!

9 Gamma Ray Gamma Ray is a power metal band from Hamburg, northern Germany, founded and fronted by Kai Hansen after his departure from the German power metal band Helloween.

Actual speed metal, what is Hatebreed, Slipknot, and A7X doing on this list? They aren't even that fast

Rule Germania Gamma Ray! They got enough speed to kick most of theese list bands off the board!

10 Slayer Slayer was 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

Most of these bands are not even Speed Metal, just thrash. But Slayer with pounding double bass drums, disturbing vocals and lyrics, and some of the best guitar work in metal are simply the musical superior of all other speed metal bands.

Megadeth is crap. Metallica is heavier then them, but definitely not a speed metal band. Slayer takes the crown in my opinion. Dragonforce #1? They only sound fast because they speed their stuff up, ever heard them live? Yeah they suck.

Slayer is not speed metal. None of the Big-4 is speed metal regardless of who is faster, heavier or better. Thrash is very different from speed metal.

The Newcomers

? Razor Razor is a Canadian thrash metal band formed in 1984 at Guelph, Ontario. The group shot music videos for songs such as "Evil Invaders", "Shotgun Justice", "American Luck", and "Sucker for Punishment".
The Contenders
11 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

Is not speed metal, metalcore was in the beginning, then started to vary between its style to combine heavy metal with metalcore and finally, in their most recent albums is mostly hard rock and heavy metal.

This is not speed metal but they have speed and everyone knows it. But this band is all the way first. Every metal lovers should be listen this band... This band is just awesome. I just love this band.

Avenged Sevenfold are NOT speed metal - speed metal is a genre with specific features and not every fast song. Get them off here!

12 Exciter Exciter is a Canadian speed metal band from Ottawa, Ontario, formed in 1978 as Hell Razor. In 1980 they changed the name Exciter. They are widely considered to be one of the first speed metal bands and a seminal influence of the thrash metal genre.

Exciter wrote the book on speed metal, guitarist John Ricci wrote the most crushing speed metal riffs I, ve ever heard, And they did it years before Metallica, anthrax or Megadeth. This band never gets the respect they deserve!

I ccn recall Dan Bheeler on T.V. stating catagorically that Exciter were Speed Metal. Frankly it's just another pigeon hole to segregate their music. John Ricci laid down much heavier songs than Metallicash or Megadude. The production on their first two albums was abrasive and lent itself to a more brutal thrash sound. LLTL was ok, but not great. Exciter would have kept thrash on the straight and narrow path we love.

13 Metallica 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"... read more

I love Metallica, probably my favourite band of all time actually, but their primary genre isn't speed metal, apart from Kirk Hammet's and Cliff Burton's solo's.

Not speed metal. Dyers Eve is their fastest, but it's a Trash Metal song. Megadeth is faster.

Well, Are this guys Speed( I always thought so) thrash or just plain Heavy metal?

14 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... read more

Mid 70s speed metal - genre defining songs: Kill The King, A Light In The Black, Death Alley Driver. The first two songs were covered by Metallica.

Rainbow helped to define and strengthen this baby genre (metal) in the mid 70s - credits to Ritchie Blackmore and Dio.

Listen to 'A Light In The Black' - it was the next step towards speed metal after 'Highway Star' by Deep Purple. This song is more technical and more intense - its awesome and fast instrumental section in the middle of the song is already 4 minutes long. Currently such extended and fast technical sections are very typical for speed metal songs.

15 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 and Exciter were among the pioneers of speed metal in North America.
Try Bushpig by Anvil - it's very fast and the drum intro is insane.

16 Primal Fear Primal Fear are a German metal band formed in 1997 by Ralf Scheepers and Mat Sinner. They play heavy metal, power metal and speed metal. Primal Fear remind of Judas Priest but Primal Fear are faster and heavier. They use twin (dual) lead guitars. Ralf Scheepers voice reminds of Rob Halford.

Currently they are one of the best bands (if not the best) putting out speed metal songs and also power metal songs. It's normal because speed metal is a higher version of power metal and can be described as heavier, faster or more technical power metal. Speed metal is mostly played by power metal bands because power metal and speed metal usually go hand in hand.
Helloween, Accept and Blind Guardian don't play speed metal anymore but Primal Fear and Gamma Ray still do. However, I respect the first three bands for keeping this subgenre alive in the 80s.

17 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.

The best Metal Church albums are their self-debut Metal Church from 1985,The Dark and Blessing in Disguise along with their last album called XI
cool way how they mantained the roots of Power abrasive sound.
Metal Kings-Metal Church

18 Over Kill

Elimination! Elimination! A lemon nation. Overkill defines speed/thrash metal. Ironbound only proves that sometimes the old ways are good to.

19 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.

Come on guys, venom is the best. They have made the genre their selves

20 Riot

In 70s brittish speed metal we have judas priest and motorhead as pioneers and america riot who switched their band name to riot v.

Come on guys listen some good stuff!

21 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'm a huge fan and I agree they are terribly underrated but they are NOT speed metal - they're technical thrash (and recently they sound more like prog metal with thrash elements).

Metal Treasure, you are wrong. The following Annihilator albums are speed
Alice in Hell
King of the Kill
Criteria for a Black Widow
Waking the Fury
All for You
Annihilator

22 Slipknot Slipknot is an American metal band formed in Des Moines, Iowa in 1996. The band is best known as one of the pioneers of the New Wave of American Alternative Metal during the late 1990s - 2000s and are distinguishable by the band's clothing choices, consisting of black/red jumpsuits and horror inspired... read more

Not speed metal, but they are not bad.

23 Laaz Rockit Lääz Rockit is a thrash metal band formed in San Francisco, California in 1982. Although one of the lesser-known groups of the Bay Area thrash metal scene, each album in their career has received high critical marks. One of their signature elements were Ibanez guitars adorned with elaborate airbrushed... read more

I think their best speed metal songs are Shot to Hell, Most Dangerous Game.

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

For sure, I agree that Anthrax brought a great sound; fast a with a style all their own. Love them. A must hear. Too thrashly be speedy.

Seriously? They should be #1 because they pretty much are the inventors and kings of speed metal

25 Paragon
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