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
One of the best and most accurate lists I have seen on this site. Up the irons!
Im gonna c Judas Priest next week at download festival along with kiss
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$).
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
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.
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”.
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!
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.
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
No Spinal Tap!!!! thats just wrong
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-*****ing Depeche Mode, yeah? Are they industrial? And who are Das Ich and Laibach? I ask out of real curiosity.Thanks.
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)
Tenebrae: Cool, I must check them all out, thanks.
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!
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?”
yer funny
Tenebrae : Actually, the first industrial metal band was Ministry… Remember “Mind is a terrible thing to taste” ?
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).
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!
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
Morgoth – Laibach predates Ministry’s “The Mind…” and “Land of Rape and Honey” by several years.
I’s can’ts nots believes that nosones has mentions the bestest metals bands ever, Dethklock?
No Led Zepp?!? Travesty!
good list but Celtic Frost gothic Metal? WTF?
I’m amazed. I thought there were more Megadeth fans out there!!!
Can you spell homoerotic? Seriously Number # 7?
To exclude Metallica and Megadeath is a crime against HM. When i was scrolling down the list i expected metallica at NO 1.
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.
bull*****… led zeppelin started it all
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.
Kickass list! Excellent job. We definitely need more lists of this nature.
Metallica should be number 1 without a doubt
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!
did you forget metalicca???
RIP Dimebag. One for me. And one for my homie.
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.
koki, it was left off intentionally and you misspelled Metallica
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
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”.
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.
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!
Slayer should be right after Maiden and Priest. They basically invented extreme metal. That is all.
how can you notput Metallica
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.
can only think you left out Metallica for comments sake.
Havent read everything was there an explanation for this ommision?
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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 *****y 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. 
)
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.
Ninja’d by Slick. Oh well, he gives a better answer than me
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.)