Subscribe to ListverseTop 10 Most Influential Metal Bands of All Time
- Published June 6, 2008 - 426 Comments
This is a list of the most influential metal bands. If it were the best bands list, it would be very different. All bands here deserve props for what they did and should never be forgotten through the music made today. Narrowing down the selections was difficult and I almost feel like I cheated Metallica, but I think if they had stayed true to their original sound, they would have had a much greater impact.
Napalm Death are the creators of grindcore. On top of that they influenced all sorts of death and doom metal bands around their time. They have had great members in their band, some of whom found success over the years in bands like Cathedral and Carcass.
Death was one of the original death metal bands. Late guitarist Chuck Schuldiner was often considered the “Father of Death Metal.” It is no surprise that they paved the way for bands like Cannibal Corpse and Napalm Death.
Slayer is one of the big four that founded thrash metal along with Metallica, Anthrax and Megadeth. Other bands even created the genre speed metal around Slayer. With insane riffs and songs like Raining Blood, Seasons in the Abyss, Angel of Death, and Black Magic, it is obvious why they are on the list.
Manowar are power metal. Often singing about fantasy and looking the part of the warriors they claim to be. You can see lyrical similarities with current day power metal bands such as Blind Guardian, Hammerfall, and Dragonforce.
Celtic Frost is an incredibly influential gothic metal band. It is hard to say that they aren’t influential considering all of the covers of their songs that bands have done. They helped create that gloomy sound that metal has become so accustomed to.
Another founder of death/black metal. They directly influenced Slayer and bands of that ilk. They were not afraid to depict Satan in their music and that helped contribute to their fame. Although not a widely known band, their sound and depictions of religion are seen throughout metal today.
The Ace of Spades, Overkill, and Bomber. Need I say more? Lemmy’s gritty vocals and wild bass playing were unheard of at the time. It is very hard to say that Motorhead did not impact the world of metal.
The NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) has by far the greatest impact and was the start of metal. Iron Maiden helped lead the pack with wailing vocals, catchy and memorable songs and also helped led the way for power metal with its lyrical content. Still going strong today, any band looking for influence cannot cancel out Iron Maiden.
Another band out of the NWOBHM, they started with two guitarists in the band and high pitched vocals. Songs like Painkiller, You’ve got another thing comin’, and Breaking the Law have become timeless classics. Judas Priest is arguably one of the best bands to ever sport metal as their genre.
As soon as you read the topic I’m sure you knew that this would be the number one. The very first metal band, it’s only fair to give them the top spot. They started everything. You hear a riff or sound a guitar makes, it evolved from Black Sabbath. Thrash sounds are apparent in Symptom of the Universe and epic tones are present in Iron Man and War Pigs. The lyrical ideals of Geezer Butler were amazing and opened the eyes of the people.
Contributor: Vakattack91
June 6th, 2008 at 6:24 am
Nice list, just the type of list I wanted for my Birthday.
Motorhead rules
June 6th, 2008 at 6:27 am
First! yeah Metallica would have been an addition if they hadn’t turned pop
But then again they still sell seats AND records…so money makes the world go round… 
June 6th, 2008 at 6:32 am
Very decent list, the only omission I can think of is Satan himself, the purest metal influence (and drugs and getting laid of course).
June 6th, 2008 at 6:34 am
I don’t really like metal all that much, but I Black Sabbath is pretty good.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:35 am
Interesting list… although the fact that Metallica changed their sound later in their career in no way diminishes the lasting impact that their first 3 albums had and continues to have. To exclude them simply because they didn’t stay the same seems unfair. “Kill ‘Em All”, “Ride the Lightning” and “Master of Puppets” are 3 of the most influential metal albums ever produced- they still influence countless bands today.
And, um, Manowar?? Really? The album cover for “Anthology” should automatically exclude them from being taken seriously.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:36 am
I don’t really like metal all that much, but Black Sabbath is pretty good.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:37 am
great list
June 6th, 2008 at 6:38 am
What about DIO? Should deserve an honourable mention at least.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:39 am
Metal isn’t really my thing, so I’m pretty surprised that I actually recognize a few of these bands: Black Sabbath I’ve listened to, and I’ve at least heard of a few others.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Great list! HUGE fan of Maiden here, it’s good to see them up where they deserve, you can hear their influence in so many bands these days. I agree on Sabbath, they’re the only natural choice for the #1 spot.
“Generals gathered in their masseeeeeeeees…”
I’ll have to go check out some of the bands further up the list, the only band I listen to from 5 upwards is Slayer, who I also love.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:47 am
I think I would include Metallica on the list based on the first several albums. They took what most of the bands on this list did one step further & really broke metal through to the mainstream, for better or worse.
I’d also include Neurosis and/or Godflesh, who paved the way for Isis, Tool, Pelican, etc…
And maybe even Corrosion of Conformity, who have been around forever. Good list though I don’t expect too many comments other than “I hate metal.”
June 6th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Slayer is the shit! Motorhead rules! I heart Lemmy
And Black Sabbath is indeed awesome! Freakin cool list, man.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Thanks for the support of the list. Keep it metal guys!
June 6th, 2008 at 6:56 am
I agree. Leaving off Metallica and including Manowar was probably a big mistake. Metallica is one of the most influential metak bands ever. Just because Load/Reload/St. Anger kind of blew doesn’t diminish the fact that after Master of Puppets, just about every metal band was trying to be Metallica. Also, I don’t think it is fair to say that Black Sabbath coined the first heavy metal riffs. Actually, Led Zeppelin was doing their thing about 2-3 years before the band we know as “Black Sabbath” appeared on the scene (before then, they were a heavy rock group known as “Earth”), and many musicologists recognize Led Zeppelin as the first true heavy metal band. Essentially, Black Sabbath took their cues from Jimmy Page and company. So it is a mischaracterization to say that they invented it all. Not true. They lifted most of it from Led Zeppelin and developed their own style from there.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:56 am
edit: “…one of the most influential *metal* bands ever…”
June 6th, 2008 at 6:57 am
Why the monitoring? Did I say something wrong in my comment? No bad words, wrong grammar, politically incorrect statement there, not even a period out of place (I think). That’s sad when an individual can’t express his/her opinion freely.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:59 am
hehe, funny how times change… I’m pretty sure you can find Black Sabbath in the easy listning section of the music store now.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Funny, I was just thinking about this type of music yesterday and wondering what on earth could be the aesthetic appeal of it. What is it in this genre that delights? Maybe it’s the savage screaming? The dissonant chords? The screeching? Sounds like I’m describing two cats fighting, doesn’t it? Funny thing that. . .
June 6th, 2008 at 7:11 am
This list is great! I love all these bands. Thank you so much for adding Manowar to the list. They are often overlooked in the states. I saw them in Atlanta a couple of years ago! Amazing performance. They are true to themselves and don’t give a @#%& if people care. Eric Adams also has a beautiful voice. Nessun Dorma anyone?
June 6th, 2008 at 7:13 am
jin-
comments claiming ‘first’ are kicked into moderation.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:15 am
Bob: the typical views of someone who has had a very limited exposure to metal. Have you actually ever listened to Sabbath or Maiden? Not a scream or a screach in sight.
I was wondering when overused stereotypes were going to be brought out, I’m surprised actually it took until comment 18.
Do some research and actually LISTEN to the music before you start spouting crap like that.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:16 am
Great List, but come on… Manowar and not Metallica? Two words… COME ON… id rather see Motley Crue that Manowar, (not that i think Motley Crue shouldn’t be on this list). It should have been a top 20 or even 15 and included Metallica, Motley Crue, Zeppelin, Pantera and Dio
June 6th, 2008 at 7:18 am
You have Celtic Frost and Manowar but no Dream Theatre? Hmmm…
June 6th, 2008 at 7:22 am
CleverMel: Dream Theatre are prog, not metal
June 6th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Not a metal fan but stil entertaining.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Didnt you all know that Dio was with Black Sabbath before his solo project? With that said, Dio was not left out of this list. Its all of Black Sabbath, not just Sabbath with Ozzy.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Happy Birthday, Card!
I always thought Satan was more ‘Elevator Music’ than metal… soothing, deceptive, manipulating…
Manowar only works if you’re Portuguese.
I only lose my voice after the first 5 or 6 heavy bellowing tunes!
June 6th, 2008 at 7:28 am
ah Venom. Slayer! Slayer! Reign in Blood is one of the best metal albums of all time. I’ve had the same casette tape running in replay for 20years.
Lemmy! Aw Lemmy! Dontcha luv me?
I still wakeup to Ironman every morning. Air guitar my way into the world
Iron Eddy Rules! I wore my tee until it was in rags..then I wore it some more.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:30 am
jesus christ….gayest list ever.
except, of course, for Motorhead. Lemmy a fiver!
June 6th, 2008 at 7:32 am
walter: If you’re going to post a comment like that, why don’t you tell us exactly WHY you think it’s the gayest list?
June 6th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Slick & dangorironhide-
Thanks for your insight. I will admit that I have been reluctant to listen to many of the bands listed because I just assumed I wouldn’t like it.
Then I see Led Zepplin linked to the origins of Metal, which I had never considered.
I’ll check them out before forming any more opinions
June 6th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Woohoo for Metal!
I think you nailed it, especially with the top choices.
BUT Metallica is Metallica. Whatever they may have become today, the band defined true metal as it is today during a time when hair metal seemed to be defining the genre *shudder*. They also brought metal into mainstream, which in the end turned up to be a good thing. They’re undoubtedly one of the most influential metal bands; certainly one of the top 10.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Calling Venom a founder of black metal is sort of inaccurate, the name black metal is taken from one of their albums, but the sound and themes of black metal come more from bands like Bathory, Mercyful Fate and Hellhammer.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:43 am
sorry, ironsides…..didn’t mean to strike a nerve there, pally.
i should’ve written ‘gayest genre ever’. my apologies go out to vakattack or whomever wrote the list.
as far as influence goes…..who did these jackasses influence? other ‘metal up your ass’ groups that wear leather and sing about myth and magic, fairies, satan, and blood? wow…how far reaching.
sure, i liked that music in seventh grade, but then again i also thought kiss wearing make-up was tres cool.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:44 am
This website is showing its Anti-Canadian bias once againg by not placing RUSH in the top 10
June 6th, 2008 at 7:47 am
I don’t think Spinal Tap could have made a funnier picture than that Manowar band photo. That shim with the bangs in that pic is pretty rough.
June 6th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Top 10 Most Influential Metal Bands of All Time to quicken the downfall of society. It’s all crap! Murder, death, Satan–oh! But he doesn’t exist, there’s not really a hell (remeber the line: “the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing mankind he doesn’t exist”?!)– witchcraft, hate, suicide, rape, deomons, posession, etc., etc. Let’s turn on the music, blast it real loud, get stoned, play some graphically violent video games where we can rip someone’s guts out with our bare hands and rape a few girls, tell our parents “f*ck you!” (and they think it’s OK, of course, this is mom’s third husband and he doesn’t get involved, we don’t know where dad is–maybe in the joint somewhere, or dead), then… Go meet our girlfriend and take her to the abortion clinic after which we agreed we’d both go get tested for STDs.
“And I think to myself… What a wonderful world.” – Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World
June 6th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Well hot damn! Another music list where I actually know most of the bands.
I am in agreement with Slick and others – The omission of Metallica is an egregious error.
And where the hell is Deep Purple?
Otherwise great list.
SoCalJeff; Rush is heavy metal? Not in my book.
June 6th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
To Walter, Bob, and others:
“Ever since I was 12 years old I had to defend my love for heavy metal against those who say it’s a less valid form of music. My answer now is that you either feel it or you don’t. If metal doesn’t give that overwhelming surge of power that make the hair stand up at the back of your neck, you might never get it, and you know what? That’s okay, because judging by the 40,000 metalheads around me we’re doing just fine without you. ” -Sam Dunn, from “Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey”.
Thank you for the list, vakattack. What a great way to start my morning. And thanks for including Iron Maiden..I’m even more stoked now to see Bruce tear up the stage Sunday night.
June 6th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
S_R, were you not hugged as a child?? Looks like your violent imagination is doing just fine without the influence of heavy metal music.
June 6th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Love the list!! Especially love the fact that Vakattack91 knows the difference between “influential” and “chart-topping” ^_~
\m/
June 6th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
wow. in order to be an influential metal band do you have to have bad hair and a thing for black clothing?
June 6th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
holy crap!!! after seeing people refer to the manowar album cover for anthology i had to go take a look.
how could this have ever been cool?
http://m.blog.hu/kl/klipperium/image/cover-manowar-anthology.jpg
June 6th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
i like to think that my comment on the last “Your view” helped inspire this list. It all seems pretty solid in my books, sure there are other bands that could be on the list, but the ones that are on it certainly deserve it.
June 6th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
DiscHuker; Can you say homo-erotic? They probably dated The Village People.
June 6th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
No Gorgoroth, Mayhem, or ACDC?
June 6th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
where is system of a down, they r really political and have very good music
June 6th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
they only influence each other, nick
June 6th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Just had to chime in here. First of all, I’ll add my voice to those who say Metallica was very influential, and deserves to be on the list no matter how far they’ve fallen in recent years.
Second, though Led Zeppellin influenced metal bands, I wouldn’t consider them a metal band, as some have suggested. This is a controversial topic, though. Music is hard to categorize.
Third, speaking of categorization, Dream Theater is almost always called progressive metal (not simply progressive rock). There’s a noticeable difference between their sound and bands like Yes and Rush, though they clearly influenced them. Since this list includes speed metal, death metal, British metal, goth metal, and power metal, I think DT falls within the parameters of the list. Whether they’re influential enough or not is worth debating. There’s definitely a shared sound with some later bands, like Symphony X for example.
June 6th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
GREAT LIST!
I saw Iron Maiden a week ago with my brother, they were amazing! great performers. Iron Maiden is my favorite band
June 6th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Great list, but I would’ve made it a top 15 and added these bands:
Possessed – also one of the pioneers of Death metal with many crediting Seven Churches as the first Death Metal album not Death’s Scream Bloody Gore.
Emperor – Black Metal at it’s finest.
Mercyful Fate\King Diamond – few bands that haven’t been influenced by them, from Black to even Power metal.
Alice Cooper – If Alice Cooper didn’t bring his evil persona on stage, metal would never be the same.
Dio – Need I say more about the godfather of Power metal?
June 6th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Testament
June 6th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Good list! I like almost all these bands.
Manowar is a very rocking band if you don’t take them too seriously. Plus it has Ross The Boss as guitar player who was also in The Dictators, a band many people consider to be the first punk rock group.
June 6th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Mom424 -
nothing wrong w/ homo-erotic.
‘hair’ bands, glam-rock, ‘boy’ bands, over compensating goth/metal/death/whatevah…its all good..when its attractive young men thrashing about in tight pants.
June 6th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
without Tool, this list is fail. I am disappointed.
June 6th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
I Agree Cyn, Besides with those bods they deserve to show them off!!!!
June 6th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Great List. Long live Metal.
A few points – I think having both Venom and Celtic Frost is a bit redundant. I also would have included Pantera instead of Manowar. Metallica probably deserved to be on the list but I like the fact that you left them off.
June 6th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I would have included Alice in Chains before Tool. Their influence is far more widespread.
June 6th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I love all forms of rock music and metal is in the top 3.
Metallica should be on this list.
that pic of Manowar or should i say He-manowar is HI larious
Outstanding list. Standing O
June 6th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
if theyre so influential, then how come ive only heard of half of these?
June 6th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Slick- yeah, maybe I’m thinking of a “best metal bands” list. Tool has taken the genre into uncharted territory, and they have my immense gratitude for it.
June 6th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
goof_ball: you’re only one person
June 6th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Blue Cheer-the original heavy metal band, even before black sabbath. Zeppelin also deserves a spot on this list too if you’re going to recognize black sabbath since the came out at the same time.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I’m thinking we should create a List-o-meter. It will judge the list on a scale of it’s controversialness based upon how quickly someone mentions something religious and/or something political. Extra points if they’re really reaching.
We could make it cute and label it according to temperatures.
For example, this list would get “Mildly Toasty” for S_R’s retarded comment at number 37. Congrats, Vakattack91, for creating a mildly toasty list. Bring on the Obama comments to make it flame-broiled!
June 6th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I like the list. I have not heard of all of these bands. I would have loved some sound or youtube clips to go along with this one.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Socaljeff: I couldn’t agree with you more. Rush is SO heavy metal. I spent my 20’s listening to “Tom Sawyer” and worshiping Satan. Great call.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
LOVE this list! agree with all the choices for once! although I might add Nirvana
June 6th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
I bet Dangor is happy with Maiden! wait, scrolled up, yep!
June 6th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Csimmons, you are taking the piss with Nirvana, right? RIGHT??
If you aren’t you’re in for a serious beatdown next time you’re on IRC.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Csimmons, are you serious? The fact that you even mentioned Nirvana should mean you could have stayed away from this conversation, dont you think?
June 6th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Honorable mention goes to the original Doom soundtrack
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6TNPNddc-K8
June 6th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
edit* ^ Episode 1 Map 1
June 6th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
TimB35, THANK YOU for sending a shout-0ut to Blue Cheer. I’m totally with you on this one.
And I agree with Double D that Pantera definitely deserves a spot as one of the most influental bands….you think 90s thrash metal, who comes to mind first?
June 6th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Vakattack: Hell yeah! The doom soundtrack is one long track of awesomeness. Who knew midi could sound so badass?
June 6th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
What a fricken 2nd, how in the world could you have left off MTV’s very first Metal Band of the year???????
Come one, Jethro Tull!!!!!
You just don’t see enough flutes in heavy metal any more…..
June 6th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Hmm…. No Metallica, no Ramstein, no Led Zepplin or Cream (both of which were VERY influential on metal)… but Celtic Frost and Manowar? What’s next? Def Leppard?
June 6th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
why yes, def leppard should of been on here. i had forgotten about them.
June 6th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Jethro Tull was the Grammy’s first metal winner, over Metallica. I agree Metallica, for the albums of the 80s should be high on such a list.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
WOOT! I have tickets to see iron maiden on monday!!!! btw, great list.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
jfrater you ever listen to danzig? check him out dude!!!!!! good list, really
June 6th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
jesse: I haven’t – thanks for the tip
June 6th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Sorry for my Nirvana mention, totally wouldn’t have posted that if I was sober then! pain pills make me a bit “high” to say the least
June 6th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
How ’bout Voivod! How can anyone miss them? Those Canadian wierdos have a bunch of firsts under their belt – first speed metal album (Rooooaaaar) first Cybermetal Album (Nothingface), yet now no one remembers them. They even have Metallica’s old bass player, Jason Hetfield.
Mind you I couldn’t actually enjoy their music. But it was certainly interesting.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Absolutely love this list, but Metallica is absent? Regardless of what you may think of them now their very name is is synonomous with metal. They should of been HIGH on this list. Can you think of any other band that made metal the powerhouse it is today, I can’t.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
the cassette tape sound. the head phones. the distance.
the long black hair.
(If only I were that dark one that the girls wispered about when he crossed the courtyard of that highschool under the summer sun.)
The one that has a way of entering the classroom
sketches in the textbook with ball point pen.
His band’s name scrawled on the back of his jacket.
He removes it and his sleeves are cut off.
bad ass, makes the guys and girls take note.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Metallica FOREVER!
June 6th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
i am getting sick and tiered of this stupid lists. what ever happened to metallica or megadeth YOU RETARD!
June 6th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
sdggrant: Metal today is a shattered smear.
Heavy metal, black metal, dark metal, grind core, hardcore, speed metal, dirges, slow molasses gore core, ect.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
bullock: metallica and megadeth are a given and hopefully for those who dont know , they might read the comment connections and find the way.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
You left out the person who singlehandedly is responsibe for all new metal bands: Cookie Monster.
June 6th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
I always thought (well not always) that the gutteral zone that Tom Waits is known for, would be perfect in the Doom Metal catagorie shelf. According to an interview I read, his voice in ” Misery’s the River of the World” was said by his kids to sound like Cookie Monster
June 6th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Brianb, I think you just made fun of everyone that was pissing me off in the comments. Thank you for making me laugh out loud.
June 6th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Great list. Slayer is awesome! Slayer is my favorite band of all time, followed by Lamb of God.
June 6th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
This is a really good list. I agree with it more or less. I would have liked to see Misfits and Obituary mentioned though. Misfits were more punk than metal, but their morbid themes and heavy sound also had a strong hand in the beginnings of metal. Obituary wasn’t exactly a founder but they’ve been around for a long time and they’ve influenced alot of other bands.
June 6th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
You’re right, I knew no.1 before I even clicked the link.
June 6th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
The fact that Metallica is not on this list makes me lose faith in humanity. I think we cann all agree that St. Anger was by far the biggest pile of steaming medical waste that Metallica has ever discrased thier name with, and many people have mixed feelings about load and reload, but we can all agree that Black Album all the way back to Kill ‘em all was pure metal gold.
June 6th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
You forgot Metallica! DIE, Monkey-clown-face…head, DIE!!!
June 6th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
BTW- Manowar…HAWT.
June 6th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
ha HA! Dangly parts
June 6th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
jeez no metallica, pantera, no megadeth, come on those three are very influential or how bout sepultura, bout half that list is bleh, i mean come on, how can metallica not be on that list
June 7th, 2008 at 12:18 am
I knew that someone would whine about Metallica. Yawn……. They are more pop than this, at least their newer stuff. I have to say great list because you had the sense to put Black Sabbath first!
June 7th, 2008 at 1:40 am
This list is incomplete without Bathory and Mercyful Fate. Manowar should not be on it.
June 7th, 2008 at 1:50 am
Its been mentioned a few times, but Prog-Metal Giants DREAM THEATER need to be on the list. They’re one of the most influential bands in modern progressive metal, have arguably the greatest person-by-person lineup in all of metal, and their incorporation of keyboard was brand new for metal bands when Dream Theater first did it.
June 7th, 2008 at 2:06 am
Actually band called Patareni played grindcore before Napalm Death. And Motorhead is ROCK’N'ROLL NOT METAL. Get over it…
June 7th, 2008 at 3:21 am
For years I have wanted to start a metal band. The name of it would be “Traumatic Amputation.”
June 7th, 2008 at 3:41 am
:tonepoet
i do not count the st anger album you ever listen to anything from kill them all or ride the lightning, or even master of puppets they were metal. and dont say they wernt until you’ve listened to them, and apart from st anger metallica aint pop.
June 7th, 2008 at 4:16 am
I think this is just a list of Vakattack91’s favorite bands more than anything. I think Mettalica, despite being shit, should be on, Nirvana, again even while shit, should be on, maybe Led Zep, Rammstein, and if we want to include outside bands which influenced metal, Public Enemy should be on.
June 7th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Lewis: This is a list of his top influential metal bands, not top bands who influenced metal. Nirvana was grunge, influenced by punk. Public Enemy took from metal, and gave a little to metal, but I doubt many metal bands would put them in their top ten. Metallica sure, Rammstein sure. Led Zep was more blues/hard rock, and while a huge influence on virtually everything after, not metal.
jfrater, you should make a top ten LEAST metal bands of all time. I nominate Air Supply as #1.
June 7th, 2008 at 6:17 am
Drogo: Sweet name. My metal band’s name would be Chucky’s Treehouse of Pain, or Springboard to Delinquency.
June 7th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Led Zeppelin sure, Metallica yes, but how was rammstein ever important to anything? dont get me wrong i like them, but rammstein? Cmon, these are all very old bands, latest being myabe 82′. So that rules out Nirvana and the impression they never made to anyone. And please quit complaining about Metallica. They had just as much an impact as slayer did and i decided to include Slayer rather than Metallica. Get over it.
June 7th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Logar:But look at what Nirvana has inspired, nu-metal, emo, grunge, a huge portion of metal. Public Enemy for inspiring bands Rage Against The Machine, and many politically charged bands, System Of A Down for example, so no specific genre but just many seperate bands. Led Zeppelin, though, I’ve always felt did have that sense of metal underneath, but fair enough. Oh and what about G’n'R? I know they suck but they did have a huge influence on mant bands. Also, Rage Against The Machine, AC/DC, Frank Zappa, Sepultura even? Oh, and, okay maybe not quite metal but I’d say a lot of bands have been listening to Violent Femmes.
June 7th, 2008 at 7:33 am
So just because the latest here is ‘82, it’s set in stone that no other band could be more influential since, I mean come on, Celtic Frost over Nirvana or Mettalica? And putting it higher than Slayer? Oh, and Rammstein have just had a huge effect on Industrial metal really. Oh, and I know I’m spurting out a lot of names but, Nine Inch Nails surely would make a top 15 or so and deserve an honourable mention alongside many other bands I’ve named.
June 7th, 2008 at 9:12 am
In my honest opinion, Iron Maiden should be in the second place (no argument regarding Black Sabbath being number 1, after all, they “started it”). I really think Iron Maiden was (and still is) far above Judas Priest. Of course, Judas Priest started earlier (1970) but I don’t think this enough…
The reasons I’d give Iron Maiden the second place in this list:
1. The cohorts of fans (this is the best indicator regarding a band’s influence / popularity). Honestly, how is Iron Maiden doing after more than 30 years of activity compared to Judas Priest ?
2. Creativity and commitment (exceptional quality releases over short periods of time).
3. The number of bands Iron Maiden inspired (Cradle of Filth being one of the most important ones). Not to mention the way they used synthetisers / keyboards on “Somewhere in Time” and “Seventh Son of the Seventh Son” which was a source of inspiration for doom / gothic and black metal bands ever since.
4. (my least favorite argument) Iron Maiden sold over 100 million albums worldwide, compared to only 35 million albums worldwide for Judas Priest.
June 7th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Dream Theater? Nightwish?
June 7th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Kuma : Nightiwish ? C’mon… There are so many bands better than Nightwish. If I would have to choose a band within the gothic / symphonic area, I’d choose Therion.
June 7th, 2008 at 11:00 am
You seemed to be grabbing from 1 strain on the metal tree, for the most part. The inclusion of Manowar was laughable. I cannot believe you left off highly influential earlier artists such as Alice Cooper, Dio, Led Zepplin (whom I actually deplore), and Metallica. And with Metallica, as much as I find their later works to be insipid, they were astounding in the early part of their career and had a massive influence on an entire generation of up and comers!
You’re proclaiming “influential”, yet are really listing several bands who only had small influence in very specific circles. When one postulates “influential”, one should really look at wide influence and genre shaking change. Many of those on your list can’t even come close to that. I am glad you enjoy those bands, but enjoyment does not influence make.
June 7th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Morgoth: Those are all good points, but I’d say that Iron Maiden and Priest are bothing doing just as good as of now. They are both on tour. I’m going to see Priest August 16! i couldnt afford the Maiden tickets though :’(
And Lewis, please read the title. It’s influential METAL bands. Nirvana isnt metal. In all fairness, sure rammstein was a big industrial band, but every band is influential to others. They all take ideas from the people who sell. Maybe this is a list of my favorite bands, but they’re all still the big influences. im not being biased because personally I’m not a fan of Motorhead.
If you dont like the list than leave the comment board and make your own.
June 7th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Vakattack91: You should be able to deal with scrutiny and even criticism of your list. That’s what the comments are for. If you cannot accept criticism, don’t make lists. As long as people aren’t vulgar or abusive, just read the comment, argue your point, and move on. There’s no need to get butt hurt.
As for Rammstein – They’ve had a lot of commercial success, however they were influenced by the real shakers of industrial-metal: KMFDM, Das Ich, Laibach, etc. I get that they gained a lot of notoriety, but that doesn’t make them the “most influential” of said genre.
June 7th, 2008 at 11:19 am
One of the best and most accurate lists I have seen on this site. Up the irons!
June 7th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Im gonna c Judas Priest next week at download festival along with kiss
June 7th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Vakattack91 : Sorry to hear that you’ll not be able to see Maiden…They’ll be in Romania on the 4th of August and the tickets are not that expensive (35$ – 130$).
June 7th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Maybe part of the problem with this is in the definition of influential; Who is being influenced, the bands that came after these or the fans and those of us at home that watched along? Metallica is awesome and theres no denying that they’re influential, just look at how many big and rising bands today still wear their shirts onstage. Still, part of me wants to support the fact that they aren’t on here. And even though I personally love Rammstein theres really no need to include them on the list. Maybe as the next list you could make top 10 bands bringing metal back to generation Y
June 7th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Nice list.
And I totally support Vakattack91 for his election.
Metallica influence is over Nu Metal more than the real metal. And in that case Sepultura is more much influential.
And how it’s that anybody said Helloween? All the Power Metal is influed by them.
June 7th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
That’s my issue with the list. If it were more specific, I wouldn’t beef. However, this list proclaims to be a grouping of the THE most influential metal bands of ALL TIME, yet it only really mentions 1 band from metal’s earliest history. That seems a bit off.
I may dislike Deep Purple, Iron Butterfly, and that ilk but they spawned the genre. Yet, in this list, they were largely ignored. This list seems to be moreso “most influential metal bands for new sub-genres of metal that I like”.
June 7th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
To say that Black Sabbath created heavy metal is like saying Elvis invented rock and roll.
This seems like more of a list of personal favorites than an unbiased list. Pantera and Metallica definitely deserved mention, even if they are a little more mainstream than some of these.
And Motorhead doesn’t even like to be referred to as Heavy Metal, therefore they should be disqualified!
June 7th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Motorhead belongs up there, whether they like to be referred to as metal or not. They did heavily influence the genre. (pun intended)
Obviously a list like this is going to be subjective, but there should be some obvious tells that carry across the entirety of the genre. While I do like Pantera, I wouldn’t consider their impact to be such that they inspired or moved a generation. I don’t particularly like Alice Cooper, but he undoubtedly changed the face of metal for ages to come.
Influence should be something that leaves a lasting impression on the entirety of the genre. Not many on this list can claim that.
June 7th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Nice list.
And I totally support Vakattack91 for his election.
Metallica influence is over Nu Metal more than the real metal. And in that case Sepultura is more much influential.
And how it’s that anybody said Helloween? All the Power Metal is influed by them. And I also agree Deep Purple was so influence too
June 7th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
No Spinal Tap!!!! thats just wrong
June 7th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Vakattack91: They were not ‘metal’ as in the specific genre, but they were grunge METAL, still metal.
Oh, and these boards are for discussion of the list topic, am I right JFrater? So if you can’t take someone discussing your list in a negative matter, don’t write them.
And what about the other bands I’ve mentioned? You only replied about the band least worthy of inclusion, and Nirvana.
Tenebrae: KMFDM are Kill Mother-Fucking Depeche Mode, yeah? Are they industrial? And who are Das Ich and Laibach? I ask out of real curiosity.Thanks.
June 7th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Actually KMFDM stands for Kein Mitleid für die Mehrheit, which means “No pity for the majority”. The other meaning is a joke, which KMFDM themselves laugh at.
But yes, we’re referring to the same band.
Das Ich is a German industrial band, a very damned good one I might add. They’ve been around since ‘89 (Rammstein formed in 94) However, they have no English lyrics so never got much attention here in the states.
Laibach was, arguably, the first industrial-metal band in existance. They formed in 1980. Again, they had limited success in the states, as they rarely sang in English.
Rammstein admits to being influenced by BOTH of these bands. So I wouldn’t necessarily consider them to be ‘influential’ when they gleaned much of their sound from 2 popular (underground and in Germany) bands of the same genre. They were just far more popular. (I’m sure English helped)
June 7th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Tenebrae: Cool, I must check them all out, thanks.
June 7th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Yeah, just because Metallica screw up St. Anger doesn’t mean their first few albums ment nothing. I blame Bob Rock and the the damn movie people who filmed Some Kind of Monster for the way St. Anger came out. Bob Rock wanted a “garage band” sound and during the movie, there were camera’s up the ass. Even the band members said they hated being watched all the time.
So, Hello Rick Rubin and hello new Metallica album!
June 7th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Just think how great Metallica would be today if Les Claypool were in the band!
But then Primus would never have happened!
And my parents would never have met!
And I would never have been born!
Whoa! This is all so heavy!
I must go back Professor!
“Again, with the “heavy”! “is there some sort of problem in the future, with the earth’s magnetic pull, that I should know about?”
June 7th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
yer funny
June 7th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Tenebrae : Actually, the first industrial metal band was Ministry… Remember “Mind is a terrible thing to taste” ?
June 7th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
And, people…please get over Metallica…Looking back they were way under Sepultura, Kreator, Sodom, Slayer, etc (I hope you realize I mentioned only several thrash / speed metal bands).
June 7th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Love this list! I saw Maiden 2 days ago, and it was just as good a show as the first time I saw them 24 years ago. Boy, am I getting old!
June 7th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Wow I completely forgot about Pantera untill I read some of the comments. The practically kept metal going during the 90’s when grunge came out and they redefined what “heavy” meant in metal
June 7th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Morgoth – Laibach predates Ministry’s “The Mind…” and “Land of Rape and Honey” by several years.
June 7th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
I’s can’ts nots believes that nosones has mentions the bestest metals bands ever, Dethklock?
June 7th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
No Led Zepp?!? Travesty!
June 8th, 2008 at 1:42 am
good list but Celtic Frost gothic Metal? WTF?
June 8th, 2008 at 3:00 am
I’m amazed. I thought there were more Megadeth fans out there!!!
June 8th, 2008 at 5:31 am
Can you spell homoerotic? Seriously Number # 7?
June 8th, 2008 at 5:46 am
To exclude Metallica and Megadeath is a crime against HM. When i was scrolling down the list i expected metallica at NO 1.
June 8th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Metallica should be on the list. It is the band I used to introduce my boys to the heavier side of music (of course only their early albums and not St. Anger or later). This has lead my boys to develop a love of all metal, new and old. To be able to share your love of metal with your kids is one of the best feelings ever.
Iron Maiden rocks along with Black Sabbath.
I for one would never add Rammstein to this list for personal reasons. I never listen to music which promotes abuse of women and kids so prominently in their lyrics. Same thing with songs like “Push” by Matchbox 20. It drives me crazy when people don’t realize what they are listening to because they don’t pay attention to the lyrics only a beat.
For those who like a little something different, I suggest Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Metal + Christmas or Metal + Beethoven. Amazing to listen to but even better in concert.
June 8th, 2008 at 10:19 am
bullshit… led zeppelin started it all
June 8th, 2008 at 10:57 am
This list loses all credibility by not having Metallica. I don’t care that they “went pop,” as people say. The far reaching influence of their work easily places them in the top three along with Sabbath and Maiden. No one else even comes close after that. Manowar? Napalm Death? Celtic Frost? Over METALLICA? Yeah, right.
June 8th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Kickass list! Excellent job. We definitely need more lists of this nature.
June 8th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Metallica should be number 1 without a doubt
June 8th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
How could you forget the greatest metal band of all time, the mighty PANTERA! ALL of the young metal bands out there today were influenced by the Cowboys From Hell. Dimebag is revered as a god in the metal community. You’ve done us all a supreme injustice. And no matter what they’ve done since, the stuff Metallica did in the 80’s is some of the greatest music ever produced.
PANTERA!
DIMEBAG!
June 8th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
did you forget metalicca???
June 8th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
RIP Dimebag. One for me. And one for my homie.
June 8th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
No surprises, no complaints.
Old Metallica should have possible honorable mention, for Fade to Black and just about everything on Master of Puppets.
Good list.
June 8th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
koki, it was left off intentionally and you misspelled Metallica
June 8th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
oh yeah, about metallica, leaving them off the list is like leaving michael jackson off a list of influential pop stars because he is totally bizaare now……..c’mon
June 9th, 2008 at 12:12 am
ACDC should be on the list for sure, with albums like “Highway to hell” and “Back in black”, they are not the typical heavy metal band like Napalm Death or Black Sabbath, but it seems there are a lot of different heavy metal genres in the one list i.e. Goth metal – Celtic Frost, Death Metal – Venom, Power metal – Manowar, Thrash metal – Slayer etc. etc.
All i’ll say is that i reckon ACDC should be on there, maybe as “Aussie Metal”.
June 9th, 2008 at 12:16 am
And to all those who think Metallica should be on there, they are as about as original as KORN and Ramstien, its commercial/pop crap and has about as much insight to the Darker things in life of an EMO 15 year old kid.
Try paying off a mortgage, thats the real depression in life.
June 9th, 2008 at 2:43 am
cool list!!
but metallica and hammerfall are not on the list..
but still, great list, black sabbath rules!!
cradle of filth’s version of hallowed be thy name by iron maiden is freaking cool!
June 9th, 2008 at 3:13 am
Slayer should be right after Maiden and Priest. They basically invented extreme metal. That is all.
June 9th, 2008 at 4:31 am
how can you notput Metallica
June 9th, 2008 at 4:52 am
i think this list is a bit crap, when you put phrases like “It is hard to say that they aren’t influential” and stuff it makes me think you don’t have much to say.
June 9th, 2008 at 6:55 am
can only think you left out Metallica for comments sake.
June 9th, 2008 at 6:56 am
Havent read everything was there an explanation for this ommision?
June 9th, 2008 at 6:57 am
Wow, all those posts and all I get in response to my question is 1) You’ve never listened to metal (patently not true) and 2) You just don’t “get it.” Well, that’s nice and everything, but I was asking about the aesthetic qualities. Anybody? What is it that you like about this music? What makes a person want to listen to it?
June 9th, 2008 at 7:20 am
I like the thumping bass beats, the extreme drumming they have, and the major talent needed guitar riffs. Sometimes I like the lyrics. But for me personally I enjoy listening to the instrumental part. It just makes my head want to bang. I am always in awe of the dummers and lead guitars. The bass is almost always a great beat and some bassists have thaken the bass further than most musicians. I do not remember many individual names, but Primus’ bass comes to mind for great bass.
And Phil: It was explained in the opening paragraph and later in the comments.
June 9th, 2008 at 8:31 am
JwJwBean, thanks for the comment back. I appreciate your explaining that to me, and I guess I agree about bass–it is a wonderful thing, isn’t it?
June 9th, 2008 at 8:52 am
I love a good bass line. I do not play any instruments, but between my 2 boys they play piano, alto sax, bari sax, and flute. They are working on teaching themself harmonica, drums, and acoustic guitar. So I guess you could say I have an appreciation for a good intrument player as well. I understand and appreciate the talent and practice needed to play an instrument well. And many metal players are very very good at the instruments they play.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:07 am
JwJwBean: As a bass player myself, I can tell you that while Les Claypool (Primus) is talented, he is lightyears behind guys like Victor Wooten, Jaco Pastorius, and Marcus Miller (all jazz/funk virtuosos). Even guys like Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Geddy Lee (Rush) and Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath). Of the bands listed above, Sabbath and Maiden have the most talented bassists (Maiden’s bass player is Steve Harris). Les Claypool, as far as bassists go, is sloppy, derivitive and just plain weird.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:41 am
And me not being a bass player just knows what I enjoy listening to. I enjoy his different thump on the bass and his just plain weird and different sound. I only know Geddy Lee off the top of my head as I am a huge Rush fan. And yes all the Rush members are awesome at their instruments. I can think of some of the others songs, but the bass does not stand out in my head. Not saying they aren’t good. Just the reason they did not come to mind. Oh and as far as jazz, I have known some excellant Jazz bass players. My brother in law was in a jazz fusion funk type band and they named it Bigga Digga just for the bass sound. I am not a total metalhead. I enjoy listening to metal and listened to a lot more back in high school. Watched Head Bangers ball and all that good stuff. I listen more to the alternative station these days, but once in a while I still turn it to the heavy metal station. I am not too discrimanent in my music choices.
I listen at a different level from someone that plays an instrument. I just know what I enjoy. And be it Jazz or metal or classical etc. I have a deep appreciation for those who play their instruments. I have tried and it is not as easy as some make it look to be.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Well, Willy, to be fair, I do think there are better bassists than Claypool, but there are bassists that he’s better than as well. Perhaps it would be fair to call Les the best Alt/Modern Rock bassist, eh?
I whole-heartedly agree with Vic Wooten, Jaco and Marcus Miller, but in rock, I’d have to throw in Chris Squire (Yes) and John Entwistle (The Who), as well as Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel Live Band), Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report), Dave Holland (Miles Davis Quintet) and Bootsy Collins (Parliament/Funkadelic). As for metal bassists, I’d nominate Steve DiGiorgio (who played with Death, Sadus, Autopsy, Testament & Iced Earth to name a few) because he uses fretless basses to play thrash and death.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Frank: Yes, you’re right. I’m not hating on Les Claypool, he is talented, no doubt. The thing about Les that I hate is that he *can* play it straight and crisp when he wants (”The Awakening,” “Hamburger Train”) but whenever he touchs that damn fretless, all his technique goes out the window.
Chris Squire was amazing, as is Tony Levin, Alphonso Johnson, Bootsy Collins, and all those others (I was never a fan of John Entwistle; he was good, and even though I like the Who, I never thought he really stood out). I was never very partial to Bootsy Collins, either. I thought he relied way too much on that funky distortion he always uses. I prefer guys like Louis Johnson, Larry Graham and George Porter Jr. Even Victor Bailey (not as talented as the other WR bassists that came before him, and with a HUGE ego to boot). As long as we are on the subject of Dave Holland, I thought he was decent, but he never really did anything for me. His sense of time was immaculate, but for that matter so was Paul Chambers’ and Ron Carter’s, and I felt they had a more creative approach to the music. Listening to a Chambers bass line is like listening to a melody under the melody.
I’ve never heard of Steve DiGiogio. I’d be willing to check him out, but the idea of a fretless in a metal context is still a little silly to me.
JwJwBean: I’m not chastising you or anything. I never said Claypool was bad, and occasionally I listen to Primus. I know what sounds good to my ears too, and while he might not sound particularly pleasing to my ears, you and I have different sets.
June 9th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Woah..a bass player discussion. The best ? Easy
Chuck Rainey
Willie Weeks
Gordon Edwards
All IMHO, of course!
Hmmm…funny how my picks are all R&B guys.
June 9th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Thank you SlickWilly. I have a stupid question. Since I am not an insrument player. What is the difference between a fretless and a regular bass? And can you tell the difference in sound or is it all in how it i splayed, like riding a horse bareback as opposed to saddle?
June 9th, 2008 at 10:32 am
JwJw: A fretless bass is fairly self-explanatory – a bass with no frets. It gives it much more of a soft, almost vocal-like quality. It’s not uncommon to hear the sound of a fretless referred to as “singing” or “operatic.” You can definately tell a fretless when you hear it. Instead of a sharp, crisp tone, it has more of a purr to it, with a distinct attack and decay of the notes. It sounds almost more like a stand-up bass than a bass guitar. Very sexy instrument, IMO. YouTube Jaco Pastorius or Arthur Maia and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
Kiwiboi: You forgot James Jamerson, king of the R&B bassists.
(I’ve also got a special place in my heart for Chuck Rainey…and Duck Dunn. 
)
June 9th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Beany: a fretless bass, funnily enough, has no frets. It gives he player more freedom with his notes, as he doesn’t have to keep to the ones set up with the frets.
June 9th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Ninja’d by Slick. Oh well, he gives a better answer than me
June 9th, 2008 at 10:40 am
JwJw: I just realized I used the terms “attack” and “decay” without explaining them. Sorry.
The “attack” of the note is how the tone begins. A fretted bass tone will begin as soon as it is plucked, because of the rigid metal frets it is bracing against. A fretless bass tone with begin very soft and almost blossom as alot of the vibration is absorbed by the wood of the fretboard. The “decay” of the note is how the tone ends. On a fretted bass, the decay of the note is linear. It weakens and gets quieter with about the same quality as it started. On a fretless, the decay of the note becomes richer and earthier as the tone fades. (It’s kind of difficult to describe.)
June 9th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Dangor: That’s okay, Dangor. You set me straight on the Spanish Inquisition over on the Dark Ages list. Definately wasn’t expecting *that*…
(The Inquisition…not you setting me straight.)
June 9th, 2008 at 10:52 am
slick – kudos, indeed, to James Jamerson; but my main man has to be Chuck Rainey. Rainey along with Bernard Purdie on drums. It doesn’t get much better then that!
June 9th, 2008 at 10:56 am
i thought this was gonna be a horrible list with random underground bands i had never heard of before haha but great job!! i loved the list!
June 9th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Kiwi: Oh, man…totally. Talk about a rock-solid rhythym section. And funk-ay!
June 9th, 2008 at 11:09 am
slick – yeah. Sure beats Fruityloops and some beatbox. Kids today….
June 9th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Ty for referring me to some youtube vids. I watched a few of Jaco and it was in the side bar to watch Victor Whooten. I think I am in love. I watched a bass solo by him, then Norwegian Wood as a reference to something I alread knew what it should sound like, then I watched Victor Whooten’s bass battle, finally I found WOW! Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten. almsot 15 minutes of 3 bassists and a drummer. Now that was awesome! Untrained I am still not sure I could pick out if it is a fretless bass or not being played. But thank you for the excellant description for me. I did try to watch the videos closely to see what type of bass they were using.
June 9th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Bean:
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=B2rjDBQ1UDY
Try that link, to Joni Mitchell’s Coyote, featuring Jaco Pastorius, from the Shadows and Light tour. Any videos you can find of “Havona” and “Amerika” both display Jaco’s dazzling skills and breath-taking tone. Victor Wooten is, in my opinion, the most technically gifted bass player alive today. His very famous video of his Amazing Grace solo is among the best, but my personal favorite vid is his solo with the Dave Matthews Band on their song #41. From begining to end, it just blows my mind. Also check out any of his entries to the Bass Extremes series, a series of songs played only on two electric basses (the other bassist is Steve Bailey…who coincidentally plays a fretless 6-string bass) and drums. And for a little taste of Wooten’s unrelenting funk, check out “U Can’t Hold No Groove” from Bassday 98. Jaco was a funkmeister too. See if you can find a video for “Barbary Coast,” “Come On, Come Over,” “The Chicken (Soul Intro),” or “Paladium.” Vids may or may not exist for these, but if you get a chance, listen to the tracks (along with “Amelia” and “I Can Dig It, Baby.”)
My personal favorite bass player (for the moment) is Marcus Miller. If you want to see bass slapping at its classiest and most refined, check him out. Recommended tracks: “Panther,” “Power,” “Scoop,” “Run for Cover,” and “Bruce Lee.”
June 9th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
About the Stanley Clarke, Wooten, Miller video…even though Stanley Clarke is one of the godfathers of electric jazz bass and Wooten is a technique monster, I felt Miller had the tastiest solos out of all of them. Pure feel and artistry. I’ve never actually gotten all the way through that video…I become a little bored by the end. If you can find it, there is another video from Bassday 98 that has almost all of the famous living bassists playing together on the same stage at the same time and it actually sounds…good.
June 9th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Slick: I was tempted to put that joke into my comment, but I couldn’t think of a way to worm it in
June 9th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Dangor: You should have replied to my comment above and said, “That’s okay…don’t feel bad. *No one* expects the Spanish Inquisition.”
June 9th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Thank you for the recommends. I watched the Coyote one, but will have to look up others when I get back home. I could not tell you which one was Miller and which one was Clarke. They all sounded awesome to me. I will definitely look up Whooten’s Amazing grace.
June 9th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
JwJw: Clarke is the tall guy with the big teeth, playing the purple-ish bass. Miller is the guy with the blonde bass. (If I’m remembering the video correctly. I think Miller is also the only one wearing a hat.) And Wooten does not have an “h” in it.
I’m glad that you’re taking an interest in these fabulous musicians. Bass players don’t get nearly enough credit these days.
June 9th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
A couple of oldies :
How many bass players does it take to change a lightbulb?
None, They let the keyboard player do it with his left hand.
or
One, but the guitarist has to show him how first.
But, take heart…viola-player jokes are worse
June 9th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Kiwi: I’m sure you’ve heard this one before.
An explorer was on a trip to South America. During a particularly muggy day in the middle of the rain forest, the explorer and his guide stop to rest. In the distance, the explorer could hear the steady beat of drums. Fearing for their safety, he turned to his guide and said, “I say, dear boy, I hear the war drums of a native tribe. Perhaps it would be best to turn back.”
The guide looks at him and shrugs. “No, we’re okay. I wouldn’t worry about it. Unless…”
The explorer looked perplexed. “Unless what?”
“Unless the drums stop. If the drums stop, we should run. Very fast.”
The explorer accepted this ominous piece of advice with trepidation, but trusted his experienced guide and curled up to sleep. The next morning, the two set out once again along the beaten path. As they approach the top of a big hill, they freeze. The guide begins to look very upset and the explorer is confused until he hears it too: the drums have stopped. Without warning, the guide turns and flees into the jungle, the explorer close at his heels.
The explorer, panting and wheezing and running as fast as his legs would carry him, shouts, “Why do we need to run if the drums stop?”
As the guide pulls away, disappeaing into the foliage ahead of him, he calls back over his shoulder, “Everyone knows…when the drums stop, run away! Next comes the bass solo!”
June 9th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Sorry guy, Blue Cheer was playin’ metal in the 60’s.
Long before Sabbath.
Sabbath is great, but not the first.
June 9th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Kiwi: I’m sure you’ve heard this one before.
Slick – LOL. Like you, I’m sure…I’ve heard ‘em all
June 9th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
SFOtter: I wouldn’t say *long* before Sabbath. The incarnation of Blue Cheer credited for being one of the godfathers of the metal movement was created in 1968 (the band had been around as a psychedelic stoner rock band, in the vein of Grateful Dead, about 2 years prior). Black Sabbath appeared in their modern form about 2 years later. 1968 was also the year that the *real* progenitors of heavy metal – Led Zeppelin – were born. Zeppelin had a much more profound impact on heavy metal than Blue Cheer, who, while a decently talented band, never acheived the commercial success or widespread recognition of the Zep. Muddled in obscurity, they never really served as an influence on the movement until several years later. While they may have been one of the two first heavy metal bands, it has already been acknowledged in the comments that Led Zeppelin came before Sabbath, and were far more influential than any other proto-metal band in existence.
June 9th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
that’s funny. i’m reading this @ work while listening to Maiden’s Die With Your Boots On on pandora.com. no spamming, i’m just sayin. i agree with the top 3. half the rest: eh. speed doesn’t always equal quality. and deep roaring doesn’t always make you special or influential.
June 9th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
and no Winger? heheheeheh
June 9th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
What do you call someone who hangs out with a bunch of musicians?
A drummer!
June 9th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I would say Merciful Fate/King Diamond might be close to making this list as well… Thats just my opinion though..
June 9th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
BAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!
CELTIC FROST!!
BAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!
June 10th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Where the hell is Metallica on this list, even I am not a huge metal fan but I know it’s an abomination not to include Metallica on this list! tisk tisk
June 10th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Metallica should be on there :O
But yeah, i agree with the list
June 11th, 2008 at 12:08 am
What the fuck? No Metallica or Megadeth but fucking Manowar make it? You’re fucking retarded dude.
June 11th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Where is Metallica?
June 11th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
thewebrpomoter: zimbabwe
June 11th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
There is only one band that I’m missing… DIO!!!!
They CREATED the power metal
Ronnie James Dio was the first one to sing about dragons and stuff
you should at least mention him somewhere
but the list is pretty good ^^
oh, yeah! what about Rammstein? they are a very influencial band in the industrial metal scene
June 11th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
I enjoyed this list. I like most of these bands.
But I have to put my 2 cents in to all the Metallica fan boys.
Metallica always had fans but they were NEVER mainstream until the BLACK album was released in the 90’s. So everyones claims that they made metal mainstream are painting them to be be bigger then they were in the 80’s. They never even made a video until they made ‘One’. There were dozens of bands before Metallica that were mainstream.
Yes I love Metallica. But I wont pretend they did anything more than ride the last wave of early 90’s metal that grunge finally destroyed.
Guns n Roses Did Metal alot more favors by becoming the first band to get peoples heads out of the Hairband era.
June 14th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I have to say, I was in full agreement with this list, until Manowar popped up. In my opinion, it’s a question of ‘ridiculousness’. All metal, by and large, is faintly ridiculous – that’s why it’s so entertaining! But there’s a question of balance. Maiden are hilarious, because they clearly don’t take themselves so seriously. Slayer, on the other hand, are more on the serious side, but took cues (just cues, mind you) from hardcore punk in paring down the overblown aspect of metal, thus gaining a certain sense of integrity.
Manowar (at least seem) to take things seriously, AND are ridiculously overblown, which just makes you think: ‘Who the hell are these guys? What’s their major malfunction in being unable (or unwilling) to see this imbalance?’
Now, I’m the first to admit that I find fantasy (and ‘power’) metal completely reprehensible on many levels, so I’m biased. But really, it’s complete crap. Grow up. Get laid.
By the way, I know ‘Tallica have been oft suggested as a surrogate entry – which I’m fine with – but as a curveball, what about Sunn0)))? I’m pretty sure they were responsible for drone/doom metal, so that’s worthy of a mention, eh?
June 15th, 2008 at 3:55 am
Sunn 0))) are certainly not responsible for doom metal, Quiv, and probably not drone either (since they were formed as a tribute to Earth, who are considered the pioneers of the subgenre…). Definitely influential though! And I do tend to agree with you that Manowar is bloody ridiculous.
Anyway, good list, much better than I expected (I was expecting Metallica, Rammstein… the thing uninformed kiddies with poor taste consider to be the height of metal as a genre). Nice work.
June 15th, 2008 at 6:13 am
this may sound funny but how many people have heard of dick dale he is the inventer of the shred type of guitar playing which is a staple of metal
June 15th, 2008 at 6:15 am
also blue cheer
June 15th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Isa – yeah, I should really research these things. I wasn’t sure whether Earth predated Sunn0))) or not, and typically I could not be arsed to wiki.. Also, let us be thankful that Rammstein do not grace this list with their dubious presence!
Timbloom – Blue Cheer, definitely.
June 16th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Quiv – Hee hee, I know the feeling. Apathy ftw. Also, I’m glad to see we’re on the same page re: Rammstein. I am so sick of those guys.
June 16th, 2008 at 1:26 am
good list man ,but i think bands like metallica,magadeth..should be on the list
June 17th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Great list… but theres a few things…
Metallica… come on man, I know its been said a thousand times, but regardless of thier recent suckage, they have been one of the most influential bands period, nevermind just metal.
Second, Pantera and Tool are definatly missing from the list. Dimebag Darrel is arguably one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and pretty much changed the way harmonics are used. Tool is just all together diffrent. they have a style so unique that it would be impossible to say they werent influential.
By the way… Manowar sucks
June 18th, 2008 at 1:07 am
Worst list ever, probably made by a 15-year-old. Napalm Death, but no Led Zeppelin? Death but no Deep Purple?
Do you even know what “influential” means? Apparently not, because I’m pretty sure about 3 billion more people were influenced by zep and purple than most of the bands you name combined. No Metallica?
This is a list made by an idiot who doesn’t know the first thing about the roots and influences of metal.
June 18th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Soulcatcher – i made the same mistake with AC/DC, read the intro, it doesnt say “most influential rock bands of all time” the list is based on “Metal’ influence.
so to you who said an idiot wrote the list, i got one thing to say, “stick that in your pipe and smoke it!”
June 18th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Soulcatcher, are you high? You claim to know the roots and influences of METAL but group Deep Purple and Led Zepp as METAL bands? Come on, dude. Zepp is no more metal than Pink Floyd is, and you don’t see anybody making that mistake.
The bands listed are true METAL bands that have influenced other bands to make TRUE METAL music.
And I capitalize the word METAL because people seem to confuse bands that may have softcore metal undertones (read: zeppelin) with bands that are 100% metal (read: sabbath).
‘Nuff said.
And PS, if this list were written by a 15-year-old kid, I applaud him. His knowledge and insight into the genre is quite impressive, regardless of his age.
June 19th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Look at the moes on Black Sabbath…awesome, just awesome.. i saw Ozzy osbourne when he was in Oz just recently–fantastic entertainer and great music.. loved it
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:01 am
I would put Rush in there.
Rush definitely paved way for Progressive Metal bands, especially for Dream Theater.
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:06 am
Where is Metallica? …. Metallica should be there
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:06 am
Soulcatcher, we know what ‘influential’ means.
Do you know what ‘metal’ means?
Riffmeister: Rush is amazing, no doubt about it, but I’m more inclined to call them rock than metal.
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:57 pm
where’s:
gamma ray
helloween
metallica
deep purple
iced earth
deff leppard
kiss
led zeppelin
etc etc?
bad list
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:05 pm
manuel rivas – dude, look at the intro paragraph, it say’s “Heavy Metal” bands, NOT ROCK BANDS.
I made the same mistake, originally i thought ACDC should be in there, but their a Rock Band.
June 27th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Ok, everyone, take a deep breath. There’s REAL THINKING a’comin’!
There seems to be some confusion here regarding genre and influence. Let’s say Blue Cheer, Sabbath and ZEPPELIN informed the conception of what we now know as metal. Without these bands (and, arguably, Yardbirds, the Who, and fuck me, even T-Rex [who I can not fucking stand]) metal would not exist, as it would have no precursor.
‘Precursor’ is the word we should be focusing on here. These bands aren’t ‘metal’ as we now understand it, but without whom ‘metal’ would not exist. In a list of “influential metal bands” the wording is slightly ambiguous. Should it mean second generation metal that became influential, the bands that gave rise to ‘metal’, or a combination of both?
Assuming the former, Zep and Purple should have been included; assuming the latter, at least Metallica should have been included. Assuming any-damn-thing-you-like, Manowar should not have been included anywhere, being dilletante taste-rapists that they are..
In short, perhaps we need a more specific list. IE: Originators/precursors to metal; or ‘influences within second generation metal’. Or perhaps you’d just prefer to get drunk and laid. If it’s solid music, it’s solid music.
June 27th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Can you tell I got totally bored in that last paragraph there? I blame the booze, personally..
June 28th, 2008 at 7:17 am
This is a pretty acurate list. I’d personaly put metallica on their even tho i wish plague and death upon them and all whom they love. Lastly DIO would have been better then MANOWAR. i personaly like DIO better but they are move prevelant in modern power metal then MANOWAR. dragon force is the future of power metal and dont forget it.
June 29th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
METALLICA BIATCH!!!! YOU FUCKIN FORGOT THEM. GO DIE. Black Sabbath is no near as good as Metallica!
June 30th, 2008 at 10:46 am
a pretty nice list……. except for motorhead… im not a fan of motorhead… but a nice list none the less. there should be a greatest metal bands of all time on this sitee.. just saying…
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:22 pm
i know it’s difficult to include all of the greats, but Pantera should def. have a spot.
July 7th, 2008 at 3:21 am
ok, i’m not reading all the comments but am i the only person who thinks pantera should be here?
July 7th, 2008 at 3:22 am
obviously not, i just noticed the comment above
July 8th, 2008 at 11:04 am
hey has anybody noticed that the top 4 bands are english? just shows how influencial the NWOBHM REALLY was. Love Maiden, Priest, Motor ehad, and of course Black Sabbath.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:49 am
The Chase is Better than the Catch, Motorhead…
One of the all-time great biker metal anthems…
July 10th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
what about bathory i figure the fathers of modern black metal should be on there. Perhaps an honorable mention in the venom section
July 11th, 2008 at 5:03 am
hahaha very nice. how bout a influencial black metal band.??
hmm
July 15th, 2008 at 3:18 am
As much as I LOVE Judas Priest, and they to me will always be number one, I do have to concede the fact that Black Sabbath is THE true Prognosticator of the Genre! As far as the others in the list, with the exception of Slayer and Motorhead, pretty much SUCK! Yep! Sure DO!
July 24th, 2008 at 7:52 am
where are pantera and metallica?
and to any1 who said system of a down because they are political.. Megadeth are 1000000000000000x better than system of a down!
“HERE COMES THE METAL MELTDOWN”!! \m/
August 1st, 2008 at 12:04 pm
omg check out no.5 the guitarist jim clare is my dad omg how imbarising i didnt no venom was that bad !
August 9th, 2008 at 11:23 am
I hate to say this but there are a few errors on this list.
First off, Celtic Frost isn’t at #2. I’d be so bold as to put them at number 1 but the influence that Celtic Frost has made to the entire music world as a whole is so far reaching, that it would amaze you to who would admit them as an influence [Dave Grohl, for example]. Second, Bathory isn’t on this list, need i say more?
August 11th, 2008 at 12:56 am
Nice list, I would have taken a few different routes for a couple of those spots on there. Only thing missin’…fuckin’ PANTERA! The kings of heavy metal, which is a pretty big metal genre, right alongside, ummmm, METAL!
August 14th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
great list celtic frost inspired black metal they should do a black metal list
August 16th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
I’d like to think that black sabbath was influential in booth dio and ozzy’s runs so I won’t complain about the lack of ronnie.
Pantera is, in my opinion, a monumental influence on modern hardcore, metalcore, mathcore, and almost anything else ending in core metal. If anything, the influence of Dimebag on guitarists throughout metal’s subgenres should put them on the list.
It’s been said a ton of times already but early metallica belongs on this list, even label it Earl Metallica, there’s no denying what an incredible impact they’ve had on metal.
Nirvana is not metal, and, in my opinion, is not even that good. While cobain had the potential to be an incredible musician, he died a slightly more than mediocre one. Worst suggestion I read. I like the band, but definitely not for this list.
A loy of the suggestions for this list fail to notice that it’s “Influential Metal Bands”, rather than “Influence on metal bands.” Though they may have had a huge impact on some of the subgenres of metal(rush on progressive, for example), they aren’t metal bands.
I think that venom should be removed from the list, while I do like their music, Death holds more influence then them, and enough over them, that I don’t believe their suited for this list of “Most Influential.” I can think of two fantastic replacements(refer to beginning of comment”
And as much as celtic frost freaking rocks, I don’t think they belong on this list. Basically because to me gothic metal seems to be the offspring of death and power metal.
Other than that, definitely not a bad list.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:04 am
Nice list, this inspired me to do my own, you can find my own top 10 influential metal bands here : http://geekzkrieg.com/top-10-influential-metal-bands/
lemme know what you think
thanks! ( I’ve bookmarked your page)
August 27th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Obviously Metallica is an extremely influential Metal Band, more so than nearly all of these listed. Wait, what’s the title of this list? What’s going on?
August 29th, 2008 at 10:50 am
where’s gorgoroth?
September 4th, 2008 at 11:30 am
ME GA DETH
ME GA DETH
ME GA DETH
September 4th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
where the hell is metallica
September 4th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
248. hold my weenie – their holding your cock
September 4th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
CRSN (249) Did you hear the one about the boy walking down the street with his teeny weeny wagon? (Teeny weinie waggin’)
September 4th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Vera – after all the posts about “why is metallica not on the list?” you start thinking people really dont read the intro’s or the comments, thats why i resorted to that.
no, do tell, all i can think that it was waggin’ all ova da place.:)
September 12th, 2008 at 8:59 am
yeah what he said
September 13th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Black Sabbath is in the correct place.Metallica maybe should be there maybe not.You know how these English dudes rule metal.
September 16th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Metallica must be the first band ffs.
September 16th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
no, mettalica should NOT be first, for a number of reasons.
1)JUDAS PRIEST
2)JUDAS PRIEST
3)JUDAS,… no sorry IRON MAIDEN
4)whats this thing called NWOBHM? My point exactly.
5)And ok,they are a really good band,and have had influential albums but Black sabbath were strutting their stuff before Mettalica were, and led zepplin, though not metal really, were heavy rockers back then, and with a quote from wiki itself ‘With their heavy, guitar-driven sound, Led Zeppelin are regarded as one of the first heavy metal bands’, yup.
Case closed.
September 16th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
and btw anybody noticed what nationality the first 5 bands are? lol, just shows ya.
a little hint (english)
September 17th, 2008 at 4:02 am
Yes, by not adding Metalica, your list looks like it doesn’t know what it’s talking about. Selectively overlooking their first five masterpieces because you have some lingering grudge over the Loads? Absurd.
Metallica should have been somewhere in the top 3, *easily*. By excluding them over bands like Celtic Frost and Manowar, I don’t believe you looked at this thing very objectively at all.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
To all of those who commented about Zeppelin: ZEPPELIN IS NOT METAL! Even if they were metal they have not influenced as many bands as Black Sabbath have. The only song of zep that comes close to being truly heavy is ‘immigrant song.’ Sabbath on the other hand is the only choice for most influential metal band.
October 15th, 2008 at 3:07 am
Metallica was amazing from kill em all to the black album.Load and reload were okay and st.anger isnt the piece of crap its made out to be.Yeah it does kinda suck but its not that bad.Death Magnetic was really good as well
But the fact you dont like metallica and pantera doesnt mean there not incredibly influential and there both great legendary metal bands.
Terrible list with way to much personal opinion in it.
November 1st, 2008 at 4:23 am
this is a bit retarted my dad is out of venom scarry soo this is why he woldnt let me lissin to his c.d
you would think he was scary but he isnt lol but the shame of perants evning =[
what happend to ac/dc ?????
they are legand
to be honest we need a bit of LED ZEP woooo !
November 1st, 2008 at 4:28 am
jimclare.com
check it out =]
November 1st, 2008 at 5:11 am
robyyne, which of the band is your dad,
cos if i know that and get hold of a pic of you then il be able to see the untold similarities
November 5th, 2008 at 12:32 am
I’m surprised Morbid Angel didn’t make it on this list. I think any modern metal band drummer or guitarist that plays fast would agree they were very important in the early death metal scene.
How about a Top 10 Modern Metal bands list next?
November 7th, 2008 at 6:06 am
couldn’t be bothered to read ALL of the comments – but WTF?
Where were Deep purple and Rainbow: Led Zeppelin & Pink Floyd also should be there – after all they are Metal/Heavy Rock as well.
November 9th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Loooove Celtic Frost! And of course Black Sabbath :p Nice list
November 19th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
DUDE
METALLiCA
ISNT
THE
TOP
3!?
What have you been smoking!?
go here, listen to this MASTERPIECE 2-3 times and you WILL reconsider, and at the same time get hooked to listening to it
all of metallica’s albums ranging from kill em all to death magnetic sound AWESOME – even if they supposedly ‘changed styles’ i’m not concerned about how thier first album compares stylistically to thier first- as long as it sounds simply amazing i support it. I am NOT saying this because metallica is ‘popular’- my love of thier music came out of sheer self exploration and listening. Metaliica is simply my band, i couldnt imagine metal without them.
November 19th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
psh, the song unforgiven ii, blackened, and justice for all are some of my personal FAVORITES – some famous person probably didnt like them and everyone followed soon – just because they contrast eachother (unforgiven ii, slow but good\ blackened more like thrash but it leaves an impression in your mind for days to come)
People need to be more accepting that bands change – its the quality of music that really matters and how YOU like it, not what’s ‘popular’ or what other kids are buying…
November 20th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Good list. nice to not see metallica up their. they are just overrated posers.
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:30 pm
as much as I have grown to dislike metallica, they SHOULD be here. and id take dio over manowar for power metal any day.
but the other 8 are good.
PS
megadeth>metallica
November 25th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
ye i think metallica are shit now but ther first 3 albums wer 3 of the best metal albums ever so they should at least make the list. pantera i think should also make the list az they wer the best metal band ever formed but at least you got the top placing right.
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:28 am
WHERE THE FUCK IS METALLICA?! they deserve to be in the top five at least.
December 16th, 2008 at 2:17 am
where the hell is metallica
it should be first
metallica is metal honor
listenin to metal without them is imfukingpossible
just imagine the metal without master,black,justice,kill em all,and ride,or even full breath takin load no what a shitty crap it would be
we dont give a shit but
METALLICA FOR EVER
December 16th, 2008 at 7:14 am
no, mettalica should not be first cos who inspired them? MOTORHEAD! and so im glad that they are on there, aswell as some timeless greats, like maiden, needlesstosay, and priest, black sabbath, no one can deny them first place.
December 16th, 2008 at 7:34 am
no, mettalica should NOT be first, for a number of reasons.
1)JUDAS PRIEST
2)JUDAS PRIEST
3)JUDAS,… no sorry IRON MAIDEN
4)whats this thing called NWOBHM? My point exactly.
5)And ok,they are a really good band,and have had influential albums but Black sabbath were strutting their stuff before Mettalica were and the dact that Motorhead influencedc mettalica, doesnt that show whos older and better? And led zepplin, though not metal really, were heavy rockers back then, and with a quote from wiki itself ‘With their heavy, guitar-driven sound, Led Zeppelin are regarded as one of the first heavy metal bands’, yup.
Case closed.
December 16th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
^PWNAGE
December 16th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
no mate, they dont. simply because where were other metal bands when they were starting out? and where did the leather look come from that most bands don nowadays? came from judas preist.
December 17th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
if your from america, i can see where your coming from, if your not, i cant.
and btw, don means to wear or carry on.
December 18th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
thought so. yanks cant understand british cos theyre used to a slower and less complicated way of speaking, but il leave that for another time, and not on this.
THIS LIST ROCKS!
anyone noticed what nationality the first 5 bands are? Shows ya doesn’t it? why mettalica arent in the list.
December 18th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
chapman y zombie killer ~ y’all are funny, you should take your shit on the road
December 20th, 2008 at 3:50 am
This list should be called “Top 10 Influential wuss metal bands when i was a prepubescent.”
or better yet, “Top 10 metal bands that my mommy told me to listen.” what fucktard makes his own list of favorite bands and calls them top 10 anywhere. Influencing what, you faggot fuck?
But i do agree with a LOT of other people who commented here, Metallica, Rammstein, Nine Inch Nails being Major as FUCK are the most influential bands of all time. 10/10 on commercial success, presentation, Rammstein pwns them all in live shows. What else do you want?
Keep these stupid lists under your desk, you metal noob.
December 21st, 2008 at 10:26 pm
i still think metallica should be on and they had no original sound.. if you cant the dif between the first 4 albums they sound dif but its your list cant argue and still great choices. peace..
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Awesome list I totally agree with you metallica ain’t shit anymore and all these bands totaly deserve being on this list especially Slayer and Judas Priest.
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:42 pm
280. Augustine Wilhelm
Appreciate your thoughtful comments. I may change my whole outlook on life because of the well researched and thought out argument you have just made. Look forward to hearing more of your well thought out opinions. Can’t wait to hear from you again.
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:49 pm
283. shadow -
ROFLMAO! seriously dude…made me laugh. i must’ve missed that comment when it first posted cuz its ..well, your comeback more than made up for it. thank you.
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:50 pm
lol, Augustine, when you get out of junior high you might begin to understand the influence these bands had on those you just stated.
This list is the most INFLUENTIAL bands. If you don’t understand why they’re influential maybe you need a course in music history.
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Thanks Cyn. Just doing my part.
December 26th, 2008 at 5:49 am
NDG: jason hetfield ? jason hetfield ? wtf man james hetfield !…..yeah umm metallica may have lost it with recent albums but c’mon man wack ‘em on you can’t say that they arent at least 3rd on this list?(not first,i agree with the top spot) and pantera should also have a mention. would anyone else be with me for saying alice in chains are more grunge ? and for those people saying bands such as led zep should be on there, the list says 10 most influencial metal bands of all time….that bit just there METAL bands, as in they have to be one. im starting to ramble now so i’ll go but apart from that, nice list mate xD
December 27th, 2008 at 2:21 am
@ Shadow, Cyn, Sean:
Let’s talk about research shall we?
Metallica is of course the legend, the great… nothing compares them, especially crappy bands like Manowar, slayer and all these stupid unheard of bands that you mentioned.
Rammstein’s musical success is global. They are the most successful live band there is and their music quite often gets featured as OSTs in freaking epic movies, seriously don’t talk about influential bands with me. NIN is also on the same lines like Rammstein and if you didn’t know that then you probably listen to Phil Collins and all that fairy shit.
and as for some noob fag mentioning something about Junior High… I have a major in Musicology from the Institute of Heavy Metal Studies.
And who THE FUCK is Jason Hetfield???
December 27th, 2008 at 9:02 am
288. Augustine Wilhelm -
way to step up your game dude.
no blatant cursing..okay once. and yeah the adolescent ‘fag’ remark. but still an improvement.
its one thing to post an intelligent criticism of any list and its another to post an teenage angst ridden cuss fest.
intelligent criticism sans cursing always wins!
December 29th, 2008 at 4:12 am
Cyn, do you have anything against Metallica, Rammstein or NIN?
and you are right, I shouldn’t curse if it’s not needed… and it’s not needed.
December 29th, 2008 at 8:03 am
290. Augustine Wilhelm -
i’ve no opinion on this list, just admin’ing your comment.
excessive cursing is not appropriate here on any list.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
1) Black Sabbath
2) Judas Priest
3) Metallica
4) Iron Maiden
It seems to be his top four that caused disagreements. As much as I love Iron Maiden, Metallica influenced a whole chunk of people with Master of Puppets.
Then Priest get no.2, aside from having great music, as without them there wouldn’t be a Metallica.
And No.1 goes to Sabbath. Without them there wouldn’t be metal. For those that disagree, find me one metal band who weren’t influenced by Black Sabbath.
January 4th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
This list is very accurate! muy bein! lol i think tool definately belongs up there for evolving the whole progressive metal and bringing it to the mainstream though. and as much as metallica sucks nowadays i dont think i know any current metal band not influenced by them.
January 4th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Miss Angela:
RAMMSTEIN is a major label heavy metal band who influences German, Finnish and other Scandinavian heavy metal outfits in innumerable ways. They are considered as a fierce competition for Metallica in all of Europe. They have as many as 5 tribute bands who have exclusive rights to play only Rammstein tracks live. Most notable ones are Rammstein.CZ, Feuerengel and K-9 Culprit. Finnish Industrial Heavy Metal band RUOSKA has admitted that they are greatly influenced by Rammstein and media has accused Ruoska for trying to sound like Rammstein in all of their albums. Rammstein however said that they find Ruoska’s music very interesting. Lyrically Rammstein is very sound and their Live Acts are extremely entertaining. Their last concert was at Nimes, France with a record attendants over 150,000 of which they also ave a DVD named Voelkerball. Their ticket prices are notoriously expensieve but that doesn’t seem to matter to millions of fans around.
They should have been in this list. I’m not a crazed Rammstein fan… I’ve just done my home work.
January 4th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Plus it’s not everyday that an exclusively German speaking band can have millions of fans on their toes and make them sing the entire song in non German speaking nations like France, Russia, Sweden, Finland, USA, England, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Japan and India among many others where Rammstein hasn’t even toured. The fans don’t know what they’re singing about but they still sing with them……….and that my friend is ‘An Influence.’
January 10th, 2009 at 4:51 am
Pantera was a glam/hair band b4 Phil
PANTERA!!!! DIME 4EVER!!
being left off however because you dont like there new stuff is pretty poor!! (but ur choice)
and Aerosmith??
I HATE SUB-GENERES!! Who ever started that deserves a kick in the head, it opend the door for the ‘pop poop’, for metal to get in the main stream.
The topic is most influential metal bands NOT bands that have influenced metal…. der?? thats a whole other bitchin list with the like of The Who having to be up top (that would suck cause YOU WOULD have to add Elvis, cause hes kinda the original theif, bringing whiteman into the rock’n'roll weave to create the best music ever METAL) but then you can bring Mr Reed & Mr Cohn in yah!!! Ever read whom atctually is influenced by whom??? I cant stand Priest and Maiden would be 2 for me anyway, but they belong right up there. Half happy about the Metallica thing, Metallia ARE metal in ALL sences of the word, so we all know they need not be there
124. Tenebrae… YAH Iron Butterfly,
157. CRSN … I think I love you lol!! Auzzie Metal!! I say Pub Rock lol see why I hate generes, I used to fight for Acca to be metal, no point, ‘tiz rock, KICK ARSE ROCK none the less,
169. SlickWilly.. Cliff?? no??
and to slove the Alice problem an influential ‘MetalMan’ list? Then Dimmu can kick in and Ozzy on his own and heres ya spot for Dio…
GO QUIV!!!!
287. Mr C Monster … bout time someine spotted this!! I think ment Jason Newstead (sp){F & J}
if you dont like metal why bother reading, I wont be reading greatest techno bands cause I couldnt give a sh*t, leavem to there own eardrum mantainance
Just for another spanner, I give you Bodycount and Soundgarden… 2 ‘influencing’ bands always forgotten!!
Kurdt is a God but Nirvana is not metal, people slamm me with the term Grunge damn it!!
Jim, Janis & Jimi!!!
and bloody sorry if this is a rant but i just read all comments and had things to say and I’m a METALHEAD! Music, Lyric and the awsome Fantasy! As long as its in the ‘ROCK’ area, being that rock would be the roots for all metal and all punk, whatever you stick in your generes
Besides its all better than those botty shaking skanks and those g-things who fill up screen and radio and give pathetic role modles for our futures!
lol
Oh and wheres the lists of what band is what genere??
January 10th, 2009 at 5:07 am
244. daemonfrost….. thank you for Faith No More, I wrote so much I forgot them lol, Epic, the grand jumpstart and all of Angel Dust was an essential for me!! and nicly done with the Halen!!
January 10th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
I thing The best band ever is Dream theater!!!!!!!!
January 10th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
296. dragongnomes yeah i was trying to point out the whole jason hetfield thing in an earlier post =] oh and earlier on someone asked what the NWOBHM was, stands for the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. And for people who don’t understand, the list is the most influencial metal bands of all time. So to be on the list they have to be a metal band so it’s no good spouting off rubbish about how bands influenced metal and aren’t on the list, if they aren’t a metal band no matter how influencial they shouldn’t be put on the list. =]
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:25 pm
who the fucking person created this shit list…?? where the hell is METALLICA ??? METALLICA RULZZ…
1.METALLICA
2.METALLICA
3.METALLICA
4.METALLICA
5.METALLICA
6.METALLICA
7.METALLICA
8.METALLICA
9.METALLICA
10.METALLICA
January 29th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
this is a terrible list, whoever made this obviously knows nothing about metal. Metallica is not even up there they should easily be at #1.
January 30th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
First and foremost, Metallica are the single most overrated metal band in the history of metal. Admittedly, their early stuff is AMAZING but they ruined it with anything past the black album.
Remember people that this list is only one persons opinion and it’s pointless for you to argur that because that person is still going to have that opinion no matter what bullshit flies out of your mouth.
So when we can start crediting bands other than Craptallica with the creation of heavy metal, and stop overpopularizing everything to do with this glorious genre, then you can have your fucking opinion.
January 30th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
thank you! the comment above says it in just one paragraph, i was waiting for someone to have comment like that, and it so true because how can someone say ‘tallica are better than Black Sabbath? Theyve been brainwashed if they think that, and for the fact that if it werent for Sabbath then we simply wouldnt have the metal we have today.
Simply put they shouldnt be there, only if they were it would be ‘Old Mettalica’ not just ‘Mettalica’, because that wouldnt be true.
Metal lives in england.
NWOBHM? and noticed how the top 5 bands are english?
Venom: Newcastle (of all places!:P)
Motorhead: Birmingham
Iron Maiden: South England (im not sure which part they’re from)
Last but definitely not least: Black Sabbath: again Birmingham
And btw for anyone who didnt know, Rob Halford and Lemmy (Judas Priest, Motorehad) actually know each other and are best of friends? I didnt know till a mate told me
.
UP THE IRONS!!!
METAL GODS!!! (seeing these on the 17th of feb^^)
MOTOREHEAD!!!(saw these at the apollo^^)
January 30th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
**Judas Priest: Birmingham
forgot to mention these guys, somehow.
January 30th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Sheeeeeeeeeeyit, any list like this without freakin’ Metallica cannot be taken seriously.
January 30th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
**THE COMMENT ABOVE IS INVALID**
January 30th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
chapman, you are a god amongst mortals thank you…
NWOBHM was the greatest gift metal has ever received.
I dare you to give me one band in metal tha wasn’t inspired by Sabbath? can’t do it can you, cause all you fucking care about is the next metallica album. metallica has had their 15 minutes. it’s time to let the new bands have the spotlight.
February 6th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Iron Maiden ownes metal
metallica’s career died in a bus wreck (u know how)
February 10th, 2009 at 5:21 am
Ok, you like Metallica, we get it. But without Sabbath and Zeppelin, Metallica wouldn’t have written what they did. They didn’t revolutionize the genre, bands like Anthrax and Slayer did. Metallica just met bands like them halfway between “real” metal and mainstream rock. So yay metal is fun and good, but Metallica fans who think they’re metal are sooooo wrong and annoying. What I’m really trying to say is, you’re the jackass my dear, delusional friend.
February 10th, 2009 at 8:36 am
pantera anyone?
February 10th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
never heard of -Death
Venom seems to be a very impopular band ‘caus I never found any site to download their songs
someone pleas e give me a link to download their track
“at war with the satan”
February 12th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
metalicas career didnt die in abus wreck half you people dont know shit about metal. i bet you cant enen name black sabbaths oeriginal name but you are right they woulnt be anywhere without sabath and zeppelin
February 13th, 2009 at 12:04 am
who is better ?
February 13th, 2009 at 12:05 am
dave mustaine or kirk hammett
February 13th, 2009 at 7:02 am
IF YOU WANT TO…: Earth wasn’t it? Sabbath’s orginal name. Truly off the top of my head (couldn’t be bother going to Wikipedia)
I know that Geezer Butler thought of the idea of writing “scary” music when he saw people walking out of a horror movie, that’s where Black Sabbath came from. And the rest is history.
AirRaidSiren: I’m a guitarist so I’ll have to go with Kirk
February 20th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
ude, what the fuck. wheres metallica? and dont include sabbath, they don’t define metal
February 22nd, 2009 at 4:16 am
what have metallica done best metal band they are even if they turn rock some funs of metallica you are the new cd is mad not as good as the old stuff but still mad and st anger can make any one anger
February 22nd, 2009 at 6:13 am
I definitely agree with the Top 4, but I’m not sure about the rest. There’s too much death metal here, maybe because I don’t like that genre.
I’d rather add PanterA instead of Death or Venom and put Metallica instead of Slayer there, because most nu-metal bands get their influence from Metallica, not Slayer or any other band. And what about Dio?
I’d also add something about Progressive Metal to Iron Maiden as it was the main influence of Dream Theater.
February 22nd, 2009 at 3:58 pm
well to be honest the list was sht no led zep or deep purple metallica ave turned sht but new stuff alrite metal was made in england (american copycats) UP THE IRONS FOR EVER
February 22nd, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Okay, chapman and Mark have seriously turned me off on being a nerd.
February 22nd, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Metallica is still good, by the way, and they will still be good tomorrow. You(chapman & friends), however, will still be here arguing in these little irrelevant forums on who is best, and have no effect on anyone’s life.
February 24th, 2009 at 8:43 am
metallica influenced no one except TRIVIUM
now trivium makes b=etter music than metallica
metallica were jst the ones who got influenced
UP THE IRONS
February 24th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Metallica created a popular platform for speed metal and became one of the biggest metal bands on the planet within the space of six months. Now I’m no metal fan but even I know that. Trivium are and always have been shite. I’ve seen them live supporting Iron Maiden, and they were god-awful. They weren’t “influenced” by Metallica, they just ripped off Metallica’s style, sound and in several cases their actual songs and riffs.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:41 am
to say that metallica have influenced nobody but trivium is stupid, they may not (obviously)be as a major an influence as,
1. bands like sabbath, priest, and maiden are/were.
2. they were in they’re earlier days.
it’s all a matter of opinion and my opinion (yes i know by now many people are sick of hearing it) is that metallica, certainly thier earlier work was a massive influence on many, many bands and still is today. even if admittedly (being a huge metallica fan) load, re-load and (not to the extent of load and re-load) st. anger were something of below par for what they are clearly capable of with master of puppets, justice, and ride the lightnin’.
so to exclude them from the list completely (possibly because of a disliking of these albums?) is almost stupid. because there is no denying that they have been and will continue to be absolutely massive influences on the music world.
x
February 25th, 2009 at 9:00 am
TRIVIUM and SLIPKNOT r the future of metal
they wont be as great as maiden but will surely be ahead of metallica
dont get me wrong even i like metallica but now they have turned
‘rock’allica
and soon will become
‘pop’allica and god forbid but even ‘hiphop’allica
UP THE IRONS
p.s. baxter’s a noob
February 25th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
well metallicas new album is bloomin awesome but the black album kind of sucks UP THE IRONS
February 25th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Some good points from the Metallica fans. But what you shouldn’t forgot is that all of these metal bands that get interviewed – all of them – state Sabbath as an influence, usually a huge one at that. I agree that to a lot of people (especially Metallica fans) might hear Metallica “influence” in a lot of metal. But what they miss is that Metallica didn’t invent that, sure they made it popular. But all these bands – Trivium, ‘knot, The Fantomas (personal fave, have a listen) – that are out there making their names now, they were all influenced by Sabbath, not Metallica.
By the way Metallica fans, I actually love Metallica, some of the best music I have ever listened to. So I’m not very biased at all when I say that this is a good list without them. I actually think that bands like Faith No More and Helmet should be considered.
There are a lot of Death Metal bands here, why not make a second list and modify this one? Make this one “Extreme Metal” and then make another one called “Heavy Metal”. Bands like Death and Napalm Death stay here, Sabbath, Maiden etc get shifted. You could chuck Helmet into the Heavy list then
Metal forever…
February 26th, 2009 at 7:01 am
metallica come on they have to be there
February 26th, 2009 at 11:09 am
No list of top metal bands is complete without “CHILDREN OF BODOM”. they are the fathers of melodic death/trash metal. they are also the best to hear outta these bands. i like the list but am slightly disappointed u ve not mentioned CHILDREN OF BODOM. i love slayer, judas preist, venom, celtic frost and of course sabbath. try to include bodom in ur next list atleast.
February 26th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
yeah the list could include children of bodom if it would have been ‘top 1000′ and not ‘top 10′
March 1st, 2009 at 11:20 am
mark: it is fair to say that all these bands were influenced by sabbath, nobody that had half a brain would deny that. but to say that metallica have not been a massive influence on such bands is, quite frankly a joke. I’m not saying that metallica are more of an influence but what i am saying is they need recognition on this list as you say trivium are majorly influenced by sabbath, is it not possible that bands can draw influence from more than one band? Metallica have undoubtedly been influenced by bands like sabbath so in that case surely can’t be number one. but when you look at trivium, who has influenced them more? sabbath or metallica, who it has been said that they are purely ripping off in some ways. (not neccissarliy a bad way)
x
March 1st, 2009 at 11:21 am
and oh yeah(not mark), children of bodom….WHAT THE FUCK mate ?
March 2nd, 2009 at 3:09 am
Mr. C Monster: Wow, someone who disagrees with me in a civil manner o.O, respect…
Anyway, I write a lot of music and I can tell you that my music sounds a lot like Grinspoon’s earlier work – Sickfest or Balding Matters are good examples. Yet, I find that Helmet – the band cited by Grinspoon as there largest early career influence – influence me a lot more than Grinspoon. I see your logic, but being a musician myself I think that it’s much more likely that both Trivium and Metallica were influenced by Sabbath in similar ways – hence similar musical styles. Understand where I’m coming from?
And for all the people who do knock Trivium for ripping Metallica off, get over it. All metal bands do it, heck, all bands do it. I can’t even look at a 60’s jazz guitarist improvise on Youtube and not go “Wow, that sounds so much like …..”. And that’s jazz for God’s sake, metal has much more homophonic qualities – especially to non-metalheads. So before you jump in and listen to media hype – sparked by Metallica themselves back when they did have a reputation (makes me laugh everytime reading all the ways in which they destroyed their images) – stating (quite falsely might I add) that Trivium are just “ripping off” Metallica, listen to some of the music yourself and make up your own mind.
I know all too well that especially in this day and age everything I write is going to get written off as sounding like RATM or Grinspoon or Helmet or Sabbath or Slipknot etc. My point is everyone does it, Metallica fans just want to draw your attention away from bands that they’ve ripped off. Look for a while – I don’t think you’d need more than 1/2 an hour with a decent music collection – and you’ll find something that you listen to and you’ll say “Wow, that sounds like Metallica” my bet is that it’ll be a pre-1980 Sabbath release
March 2nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Mark: how is it you can say stuff like that and it make so much sense and i just get my words all fucked up :L not fair.=].
and i totally agree with you about your (well the whole post) but mainly the first paragraph. i know exactly what you mean about them obviously being influenced by them both, but that’s what i was just trying to get across. that metallica along with bands like sabbath have been major influences on other bands. but i’m just trying to understand why (maybe because of certain points in metallicas’ career) they have been denied deserved recognition. (even if it is on a list that undeniably means nothing :L)
x
March 2nd, 2009 at 1:09 pm
hope that one made sense to someone at least :L
x
March 2nd, 2009 at 1:14 pm
it did, cos its true
March 2nd, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Mr. C Monster: You hit the nail square on the noggin there mate. It was because of certain points – no need to reiterate what they were I hope – in Metallica’s career that they have “missed” some critical praise that they probably deserve. But despite being a hugely successful metal act – in the mainstream as well which is quite an oddity – they weren’t all that influential. They didn’t “revive” metal as some Metallica fans would like to think, bands like Sabbath, Priest and, of course, Maiden, were all still around and making music when Metallica first popped into existance. Metal never “died” as some people seem to think (beats me why they do o.O). Musically speaking, as I said, Metallica weren’t actually that influential, apart from maybe an argument for their contribution to speed/thrash metal – but go looking, you will definitely, beyond a shadow of a doubt, find pre-’tallica thrash metal.
Metallica, great music – yes. Hugest tools metal has ever seen – definitely. Influential – not really…
March 6th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
metallica our a gr8 band but on the black album they went to soft what that music that they were playin on that album wasnt metal it was soft rock but when they started the music they were full on metal but they went soft the older they got but the new stuff rules
UP THE IRONS
March 6th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Mark: personally i am in almost total agreement with you. when you say that they didn’t invent thrash i agree, when you say you’ll find it before them i agree, however they were one of a handful of bands to make it into what it is today, but by no means could they have done this by themselves or take credit for it themselves. but to say that they were not an influence is where i disagree as bands like celtic frost (themselves on the list) have said that metallica in the early days were a big influence on them and it was a shame they’ve only ever shared a stage once. and so many other bands have mentioned them as a major influence, obviously not to the level of sabbath, motorhead and preist, but definately up there. so to deny them as any sort of influence whatsoever is almost ridiculous.
=] x
March 7th, 2009 at 7:34 am
339. Mr. C Monster : Damn, I don’t really know what to say… It’s obviously a matter of opinion – specifically on the definition of influence/influential – so let’s just agree to disagree. I think I’m a bit biased because I listened to almost all of the bands on here before I listened to Metallica. So when I listened to Metallica for the first time – it was the Black Album too, which probably didn’t help – I didn’t hear anything and go “wow, that was good” like you obviously did.
But you seem like a reasonable person, with an eloquant and well articulated case. So you have convinced me that Metallica have influenced metal to a degree. But I don’t see them earning a spot in the top 10 – 20, sure, but not 10 – especially when we view it from todays perspective like the author of this list obviously did. How much thrash metal is there compared to death today? Even doom and – my god, never thought I’d be standing on this side of the fence – black metal are becoming much more prevalent in younger circles. Like the one I’m in
March 8th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Any of you Metellica loving a-holes ever heard of a little band from Texas called Pantera. True kings of Metal. R.I.P. Dimebag.
March 8th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
thank you AlexP…finally someone other than me who appreciates Pantera/Dimebag Darrell (in my opinion, he’s one of the best, if not-THE best-metal guitarist who ever lived.)
March 8th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
342. tracey : Except for Iommi of course….
March 8th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
indeed…i apologize for the oversight
March 9th, 2009 at 12:08 am
344. tracey : No need, I saw the metal fan within you and knew your feet just needed to be placed back on the true path
March 9th, 2009 at 12:10 am
tracey : By the way, forgot to mention – I like Pantera as well, so I’m not biased. And – in my expert opinion as a metal guitarist
– I think Dimebag is a exceptional guitarist. I hold nothing but the upmost respect for the guy, R.I.P…
March 9th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
alexP: yes we have, i think everyone here has and were all better for it in my opinion.
Mark: yes =] (younger circles :L i’m 15) i just love the music so it’s all i listen to nowadays, odd because almost nobody i know does the same =[
x
March 9th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
347. Mr. C Monster : Look around, I know that metalheads don’t stand out at first but just wait until you walk past that guy with his iPod pumped up REALLY loud – when you hear the double bass pedal, you know he’s a metal fan
March 9th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Although I absolutely adore Judas Priest (favorite band of all time), I’m ok with their #2 ranking here. Sabbath were the first, QUICKLY followed by thir Birningham brothers Judas Priest. Priest may be just as influential as Sabbath though, think about they influenced bands like Motley Crue, Ratt, Def Leppard, and Skid Row with their radio friendly songs that I don’t have to name they are so classic…and then they influenced Iron Maiden, Queensryche, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Manson, Pantera with their sped up heavier brand as well.
Priest may even be more influential then Sabbath.
March 10th, 2009 at 1:49 am
349. Stuart : No, no way. Sabbath not only influenced all of those bands, but also – you guessed it – Priest themselves. Don’t forget that Sabbath’s first album was released in ‘69, that’s what, 6 years before Judas Priest’s first record?
I do think that Judas Priest are great and have influenced many, many metal bands to date – mainly with their abandonment of metal’s blues roots – but there will NEVER be a more influential band in a musical genre than the one that created it
March 12th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
iron maiden? EXCELLENT!!! (air guitar riff accompanied by goofy expression)
March 14th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
for me, the founder, influenciial, etc, was ROBERT JOHNSON, no disrespect to all of you who never knew abouthim, he played one of the first crazy-black and more, songs ever
March 14th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
352. me : Wow, good suggestion. Unless you think anbout it for more than 2 seconds…
March 14th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Love Slayer and Judas Priest. Glad to see them on this list.
March 16th, 2009 at 6:44 am
354. oouchan : Yes, it is, although I always preferred Anthrax to Slayer I can’t deny that Slayer influence Death Metal in insanely huge ways. I listen to my Death collection just after Slayer and I still just can’t believe that these bands have different guitarists, being my area of expertise after all
March 16th, 2009 at 7:37 am
355. Mark….got to agree with you on the Anthrax. They are better than Slayer.
Now for a bit of funny….most of the songs on my ipod are from the 80’s and from soundtracks. The rest are rock in all its different forms. Gotta love the hair bands!
March 16th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Abandonment of the blues roots Mark???? Yes, Priest ARE the PUREST Metal band of all time!
March 16th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
357. Stuart : Lol, I don’t know about that. Helmet were pretty pure back in the day, some great riffs. They could’ve found a better vocalist though…
March 18th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Right, we all know that Metallica had less influence that 10
Napalm Death right??? This list is garbage.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Everything i have said uptill now is shit.Do you think i really give a damn?…metallica is an influ or not ..you guys have no other topic to argue on.
P.S Mr C Monster you are a loser.pl stop starting your comments by – Mark:
March 20th, 2009 at 6:09 am
360. Mark : Wow, that sounds like me. I mean, look at the great punctuation and grammar. Must’ve been me, hey guys?
March 21st, 2009 at 8:41 am
Death should be above Manowar.
The lack of Deep Purple is somewhat alarming.
March 22nd, 2009 at 10:43 pm
362. Gary Busey Is God : Why, I mean, I LOVE Purple, but compared to the bands on this list they don’t compare. Incidently I believe that Slayer should be above Death and both of them should be above Manowar
March 24th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Slayer should be higher on this list.
…and Manowar…humph…in that picture, they look a little girly to me.
March 24th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
364. oouchan : Lol, have you listened to Manowar? They are the closest thing metal has to Britney Spears
March 26th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Can anybody put forth their opinions about Rammstein? You people seem like you know a lot about Heavy Metal music so I would probably get the best answers from you.
I like their music but their live shows are what intrigues me.
thanks…
March 26th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Ash: Rammstein have catchy songs and are a good band live, iv heard, but they aren’t ‘infuencial’ as the big named bands are, as some people think. good nonetheless, but not my ‘cup of tea’ as the english would say
March 26th, 2009 at 11:08 am
365. Mark: “They are the closest thing metal has to Britney Spears”
hahahahah! ok…that was great! thanks for my funny for today.
March 26th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
366. Ash : chapman essentially has it there. Rammstein are a lot more “techno” than the more extreme bands listed here. They really blend big-bass, thumping beats with heavily distorted guitar and clean, very low vocals. They’re worth a listen, but as chapman said, not his cup and tea and if you don’t like them, they really can be considered quite horrible.
Their live shows are quite a specacle however and even if you’re not a fan they seem to be worth checking out. Unfortunately most European hardcore-techno/extreme metal bands really can’t be bothered coming to Australia so I can’t vouch for that personally
March 27th, 2009 at 2:42 am
Chapman: “..but not my ‘cup of tea’ as the english would say”. haha, that was funny. I see what you did there. Nice, thanks for your opinion.
Mark: Ya, they really do blend big ass, haha. But it sounds nice, not really out of place. It all goes down smooth, cuz I love stuff which are heavier than the heavy ones. Rammstein is definitely heavy. So if you are from Australia then I guess you will have to wait till Big Day Outs, those concerts kick major ass, an Aussie answer to Germany’s Rock am Ring.
Thanks for opining people.
March 27th, 2009 at 2:54 am
370. Ash : You want heavy? Check out some Sludge Metal, now that stuff is heavy. It’s a toss-up between Sludge, Black and Death for the “heaviest” genre – I know a lot of people are going to scratch their heads when they read that, but seriously, listen to some Sludge first – European techno-metal doesn’t really compare when you get into the “extreme” stuff. I like the guitar, but being a guitarist that’s about all I can appreciate in their music unfortunately. I would however, be the first in line to see them if they ever toured Down Under, if I turn 18 in the meantime
The BDO is pretty insane isn’t it? Can’t wait ’till I’m down in Brisbane doing university and the tour rolls in – I’ll be there
March 28th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Walter your gay because you probably listen to hannah montana instead of rock or metal and give you “but buddy” a blow job every night so shut your face cocksucker!!!!!!!
March 28th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Judas priest can go suck another dick because the singer already did.
March 31st, 2009 at 12:46 am
LOL REALLY? What kind of joke is this? No Metallica… wow, just wow. Metallica’s first four albums are untouchable by ANY BAND THAT HAS EVER EXISTED, NOTHING EVEN COMES CLOSE. Every band that post Kill ‘em All has been influenced by Metallica, PERIOD.
Besides that MAJOR error… not a bad list.
March 31st, 2009 at 12:59 am
So basically all the stuff I have read boiled down to this… Metallica is not included because they ruined their career by making “shitty” music passed the Black Album. What a load of shit. Metallica’s music is amoung the best ever created. They took music to a different place, just like Sabbath and Zeppelin before them. Taking Metallica out of the picture is utterly retarded. They deserve to be first or second on this list. It is plan and simple listen to the first four albums Metallica made and attempt to deny the truth. You know it’s sad but true.
March 31st, 2009 at 4:07 am
374. What… : Hmm, yeah, I now see where Powderfinger got that great “My Happiness” sound from – James of course. Get your head out of the ‘tallica’s ass and face the facts. Metallica doesn’t come close on INFLUENCE as compared to these bands, how many metal bands do you hear a Thrash influence in today? I’ll give you a big tip, it’s all Slayer. Whatever else you want to say about Metallica, Slayer were bigger on an influence scale, and given the relative scarcity of Thrash-influenced metal emerging nowadays anyway, reming me again why Metallica deserves a spot?
375. JC : Maybe you need to invest in a pair of glasses then… Read my reply to 374 – above, in case you didn’t notice – it outlines exactly why it would be an afront to include Metallica. We would have to pray for the Metal God’s forgiveness if we were to do something so foolish o.O
April 1st, 2009 at 10:48 pm
everyone knows that metallica brought tons of fans to metal and they are a big reason that metal is where it is today. Slayer wouldn’t have had as many fans if they weren’t inadvertendly introduced by metallica.
April 1st, 2009 at 10:58 pm
377. jo : Get over it, it’s not most popular, it’s most influential. And Slayer and, quite possibly even Anthrax, were much more influential on metal music than Metallica.
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:59 am
Pantera?!?!?!
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:59 am
i don’t understand why Pantera are not in the list..
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:31 am
You are so afraid of Metallica – 100 million albums sold and they aren’t influential? Don’t give me that BS that success doesn’t equate to influence. You are an idiot if you think influence on anything is not derived from success. If this were not the case then EFFING SPINAL TAP would be #1 on this list ASSes!
I am shocked that you didn’t have Nena on this list.
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:04 am
Ironcross: a band can be successful, but not too much in the way of influencial. And using the age old defense of ‘albums sold’ isn’t a good way saying how ‘good’ or ‘influencial’ a band is. Iron Maiden have probs sold as many albums, but are more successful than ‘Tallica. Doesn’t add up using that, and Spinal Tap wouldn’t be on this list, influencial, successful or not.
April 4th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Metallica should definatly be here, as should Anthrax (for starting Nu Metal, even if it is terrible).
Otherwise, great list!
April 4th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Oh yeah, Bathory/Opeth need a mention.
April 5th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Black Sabbath is easily first.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:19 am
Trevor: nice one
April 9th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
i’d like to see slipknot on the list
April 9th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Draven: No Slipknot, they dont come close to being in the top 2, let alone anywhere at all in the ‘most influencial metal bands’. they werent influencial to many bands, infact only a few.
April 9th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Judas priest should be #1 cause they abandoned all the blues influence in heavy metal and made more classic albums than anyone in metal history.yeah put that in your pipe and ssmoke it people.Judas Priest rules.
April 10th, 2009 at 12:39 am
nice list but where is megadeth???
April 10th, 2009 at 12:41 am
everrybody talk about metallica they are sux!!!
April 10th, 2009 at 6:18 am
Great list, almost perfect, i really don’t think iron maiden are on 3 and i think manowar is on 6 and CF on 7.
Good job!
April 11th, 2009 at 10:58 am
whit no Metallica on the list it isn’t even worth a look…
in my opinion you have faild
April 13th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
yo seriously if you dont have metallica your a fag dude or any other good metal bands. if you want good metal check out pantera, as i lay dying, suicide silence, burning the masses of light this city
April 14th, 2009 at 7:14 am
lol leftmostfall: as i lay dying are run of the mill, suicide silence are worth a mention at all, burning the masses of light arent worth a mention at all aswell, and this city just why botheer talking about them? cos we’r on about the 10 most infleuncial metal bands, not some emo numetal band. even the top 5 could be classed as the top 10 cos theyre so freaking good!
April 14th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
come on dude, where is Metallica? They are great. They do what they want. they are best in every aspect of metal(trash, heavy). They can do best anytime that it is needed. I know Load and Reload are blusey, but friend in these albums u can find any kind of metal(except trash, speed, death, symphonic). both of then are heavy, aren’t they???!!! what about the first 4 albums??? what about st.anger??? dude, no metal band in history of metal can play something like st.anger. it’s complex and very nice(listen it more times). and the end of the line, death magnetic = trash + heavy. very nice combination. isn’t it???!!! I love Metallica and also respect all metal band. I almost listen all metal band and enjoy them so much. I Love metal. Black Sabbath is great, Judas Priest is great, I love chuck schuldiner(death, control denied), Iron Maiden is great, Slayer is great trash, I like Dave Mustaine(megadeth), Symphony X is great power/progressive metal,… I like all of them but Metallica is GREAT. no one can stop them, they rule the world. they are like GOD in metal, they started a revolution in metal, they changed the rules, they changed everything in metal. They are GREAT. I need answer. please answer me by mail(rouzbehan@gmail.com)
FOREVER METALLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 14th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
U know friend, there are only few band that influence on other later metal bands(black sabbath, judas prist, metallica, iron maiden). there is no slayer, there in no anthrax, there is no other band. All people know that. it’s a fact. we have no fight here. we all love metal.
Slayer has a great trash and also Metallica has this. but there is a big difference. Metallica’s trash has a wide range of music, but Slayer’s doesn’t. that’s why Metallica has a very big influence. this is the same reason for black sabbath, judas and iron. Slayer’s trash is very heavy but in every songs we have the same routine. it is beautiful but not for every albums and every songs. this makes metallica, black sabbath, judas, iron the biggest of all time.
We all love Metal.
please answer me by mail(rouzbehan@gmail.com)
April 14th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
nah they didnt single-handly start the ‘revolution’, it was venom who, arent as big now, influenced the later thrash metal bands, such as slayer, megadeth, metallica aswell. remember who did influence the thrash bands.
and on a personal note, im not too much of a thrashy guy so i havent liked many of ‘tallicas songs, let alone album, but death magnetic was low for them, most of my friends think so, and they listen to all kinda, from CC to manowar, so they know a few and think that metallica arent as good as they should be.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
albums*
April 14th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
but now there is no sign of venom, isn’t it??? why??? I think they aren’t great. they can not survive. that’s why I believe they are weak.
by the way I do not understand your second paragraph, second line. could u explain it??? tnx dude.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:34 am
…so i havent liked many of metallicas songs, let alone albums. Death magnetic though wasnt as good as it couldve been; most of my friends think so and agree with me on that point.
i know venom arent there now but they were and their albums were influencial, and here we have a case of the band arent god anymore but the albums started something off.
April 17th, 2009 at 4:52 am
397. rouzy : Huh? Have you every listened to Reign in Blood? Sure it’s all heavy, but that’s were the similarities between songs end. And you can’t seriously then try and claim that Metallica were a better metal band because they played lighter music, because well, that stuff wasn’t even metal. It might have made them a better all round band – to some people, I’ll still take Slayer 7 days of the week – but it doesn’t make them a better metal band.
400. rouzy : No sign of Venom? Maybe not in the mainstream, but then again, there never was, so that’s not a new thing, they haven’t lost any popularity. HOWEVER, musically they are a much more influential band than Metallica. Heck, I’d even go so far as to call them more influential than Possessed – and I’m a Death Metal fan who doesn’t care too much for Black Metal or Venom so that’s a pretty impartial opinion.
April 26th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
are u kidding manowar rulz..dimao is a god on bass..loudest band too btw
April 27th, 2009 at 6:37 am
Where is METALLICA?
Metallica is all time favourite. u have to add this band to this category.
April 27th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Like Samson, Metallica lost all their talent when they cut their hair. Sorry, Joshy.
April 27th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
I couldn’t agree more with you, illegal_immigrant. Metallica were not as influential as many say they were. The others listed here are a better fit. Even the not-so-manly manowar.
April 30th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
where is metallica and anvil!?
May 3rd, 2009 at 12:03 pm
For god sake Metallica is not in the top 10 !!
are you kidding me !!
May 5th, 2009 at 2:31 am
404. uday joshi : How about you read some of the comments before you start spilling that crap all over the kitchen floor again…
405. illegal_immigrant : WHAT? Metallica are a band. Bands write music. If you like Metallica’s music, good. If you don’t cry me a river, this isn’t the place. If you used to like Metallica’s music, even better, they used to write some phenomenal metal. If you don’t, good for you, this isn’t the place.
They didn’t “sell out”, they wrote music that they like and wanted to. Look at Zeppelin, a prime example, they got softer as they went along. How many people are bitching about that now? Compared to Metallica’s so called “fan-base”, which is an absolute joke. I for one like Metallica, I like the old metal, I like the new “rock/metal stuff”. If you don’t fair enough, but we don’t need to hear it.
Sorry to give you such an earful, I’m just hoping that a lot of other ‘tallica haters will read that sometime
406. oouchan : Woah, woah woah woah. Hold on. I think that Metallica *could* be here, and I for one would be more than happy to see them replace the aforementioned sexually confused individuals
May 17th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
i think Maiden should have been 2…
May 22nd, 2009 at 1:29 am
139 Tenebrae – Though Laibach’s “Opus Dei” may predate Ministry’s “The Land Of Rape and Honey” by 1 year in release dates, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that “Rape and Honey” is the first industrial metal album.
Ministry has been the blueprint for so many bands, most of them shitty imitators: Nine Inch Nails, Korn, Limp Bizkit Metallica(!), Motley Crue (a pathetic Hollywood “industrial” rebranding after Vince Neil was fired), Soulfly, Anthrax (another rebranding), Pantera, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie (a completely phony, 100% direct Al Jourgensen ripoff), Filter, Rammstein, Type O Negative, Stabbing Westward, Linkin Park, Godsmack, Fear Factory, Static X and so many others. Hell, even Kurdt Cobain was a big Ministry fan.
So, to think of it in one way, Ministry is to blame for a lot of the crappy music of the past 18 years.
But to consider them in terms of influence, their status is easily top-10; this despite being basically ignored by “experts” like Rolling Stone, Spin, etc.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:39 am
I think Metallica should be on the list just for Kill’ em All and Master of Puppets. Anyway, I think its hilarious how people still refer to Load and ReLoad as the “new” and “recent” Mtallica stuff. Load is fucking 13 years old and they don’t even play those songs anymore. They might still play 1 or 2 songs from that era like Nothing else matters, but mostly they play Death Magnetic and their really old stuff nowadays.
June 4th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Has nobody mentioned In Flames yet?
Was just wondering because they must be fairly influencial seeing as they practically created melodic death on their own, maybe they just get a mention on the list?
x
June 8th, 2009 at 3:57 am
No Misfits ??? and no more talk about metallica they’re so overrated
June 10th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
How about this? Instead of arguing (which you seem very fond of), I challenge all of you to think of a really sucky band,take for example the Jonas Brothers, come up with a list of ALL of the bands that would kick their ass, and email the list to me. kpetracca11@yahoo.com
Don’t worry about length, the longer the better…
June 15th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
You can’t chuck out metallica because theyre last three albums suck. Master Of Puppets is probably the best album ive ever listened to and death magnetic is a pretty good comeback.
June 17th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
thats kinda funny
when the word metal is spoken about around hear you hear stuff about screamo bands
its sad because a lot of “scene kids” claim they love metal yet they hate judas priest,motorhead,iron maiden,and girlschool and stuff
this one kid ikno claims Black Rose Dying by some band called Blessed the Fall is better than a song like Diamonds and Dust by Judas P.
its sad
but as far as bass goes im likin’ Lucifer’s Friend
those lines are amazing
especially songs such as Ride In th Sky or Spanish Galleon
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:31 pm
SLAYER YEAH!!!! but wy are they eight they should be #1 slayer fuckin’ rules!!!!!
June 24th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
WHAT THE HELL ?! No Metallica?!?!?!
in the rolling stone magazine top 100 best band ever they are #8 so why aren’t they #1 on this list?!
+only iron maiden is in rolling stone magazine thingy so anyways why no metallica??!?!!!!?!?!??!?!
June 26th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
A potentially great metal band to watch out for in the future is Firewind. They’re latest album, The Premonition was their best so far and they could do well if they continue in the same way.
June 29th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Where is AXEL RUDI PELL,It should be in the list.
July 1st, 2009 at 11:13 pm
It is nothing but a joke, not to include Metallica. Metallica is mainly a heavy metal band, but that does not means that they shouldn’t have made music which is not metal. In fact when u talk about metal music the first name which comes in mind is no other that METALLICA!!!!!! METALLICA IS GOD!!!!!!!!!! And I would also like to mention that this band contributes THE MOST in commercializing metal music!!!!!!!!!!
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:36 am
@Shuvo (422): “…In fact when u talk about metal music the first name which comes in mind is no other that METALLICA!!!!!!…”
Most self-respecting, non-retarded metal listeners would probably think of Sabbath first…
July 8th, 2009 at 10:30 am
I knew Black Sabbath wud b #1 cus theres this cd called Nativity in Black II is a tribute to Black Sabbath its a couple of bands like System of a Down, Pantera, Slayer, Megadeth, Godsmack, Machine Head, Monster Magnet, Soulfly, and others play songs like Snowblind, Electric Funeral, Hole in the Sky, Sweet Leaf, N.I.B., Hand of Doom, and others.
July 8th, 2009 at 10:34 am
All these ppl are saying Metallica shud b on the list but how many bands have ben influenced by Metallica. I bet not as many as Black Sabbath has. I like Metallic a but Black Sabbath was how it all started
July 8th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Feldchacher
it’s all well and good saying that sabbath have been a bigger influence which is inevetably true. but that doesn’t rule out metallic for the top 10 though does it. i’m not sure i’ve seen a comment that can be taken seriously saying metallica should be number 1, they shouldn’t. however top 10, definately.