Crashing riffs, thundering double bass and powerful vocals, that’s heavy metal, baby! And pretty much no one can embody that brute energy better than the heavy metal bands on this site!
Buckle up, put your seat back upright and hold your breath. Our flight to the gods and titans of heavy metal starts RIGHT NOW!
The 6 greatest heavy metal bands of all time
They are successful, famous, incredibly rich, and above average handsome – well you get the picture. These bands have made it to the Olympus of heavy metal and will probably remain unattainable for the foreseeable future. Let us kneel down before:
6. Slayer
Slayer come from California and are among the founders of thrash metal. Undoubtedly one of the most important albums of the band was Reign in Blood (1986), which reached a wider audience, was awarded a gold record in the U.S. and had a lasting influence on many heavy metal bands, especially in the field of death metal.
I've never thrown out a TV set out of some hotel's window, but I have thrown a microwave out of one 'coz it was cooler.
Kerry King
5. Megadeth
Shortly after his expulsion from Metallica, due to alcohol problems, Dave Mustain founded one of the most legendary heavy metal bands. Megadeth play technically brilliant trash metal with lightning-fast guitar solos. Among the band’s most famous songs are Symphony of Destruction, Sweating Bullets and Train of Consequences.
It's not how big your pencil is; it's how you write your name.
Dave Mustaine
4. Judas Priest
Judas Priest count as one of the first heavy metal bands in history. The pioneers from Brimingham are responsible for killer albums like British Steel, Screaming For Vengeance and Painkiller. To date, the band has sold more than 50 million records and without them there would probably be no heavy metal as we know it today.
Don't put yourself on a pedestal. Because it's very easy for someone to knock you off. It's balance.
Rob Halford
3. Black Sabbath
Similar to Judas Priest, Black Sabbath were style-defining for the entire genre and thus also count among the first heavy metal bands ever. The most commercially successful album of the band was Paranoid, which was released in 1970. Even better known is probably only their charismatic frontman Ozzy Osbourne.
Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most.
Ozzy Osbourne
2. Iron Maiden
In second place is a stunning live band with an army of hardcore fans and the most iconic band mascot in the universe: Iron Maiden. They have been rocking the stages around the globe for over four decades now with brilliant songs like Fear of the Dark, The Number of the Beast or Run to the Hills.
If heavy metal bands ruled the world, we'd be a lot better off.
Bruce Dickinson
1. Metallica
Probably everything that can be written about Metallica has already been written. Hardly anyone does not know the thrash metal titans from Los Angeles. Four decades on stage, endless radio airplay and more than 125 million sold records. There is simply no one bigger in metal. Applaud the heavy metal band of heavy metal bands!
I choose to live, not just exist.
James Hetfield
Also quite awesome!
Listen to our Song Behind The Wall
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The 6 loudest heavy metal bands ever
When these bands get going, the pressure wave blow-dries your hair. How convenient. Pitch your ears and check out the loudest heavy metal bands on this planet, with levels somewhere between extremely loud and the threshold of pain:
6. Deep Purple
In 1972 Deep Purple played such a loud concert at the Rainbow Theater in London that it literally blew the roof off the hall. At that time, they set an official record of 117 dB, which was even officially entered in the Guinness Book of World Records. It’s said that the enormous volume and sound pressure caused people in the audience to faint.
Buy real records in real shops, or I'll come round your house and scream at your mother.
Ian Gillan
5. Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were even louder on the road. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) officially logged a volume of 130 dB during the performance of the song Heartbreaker. Thus, as one of the founders of heavy metal, they also set a clear example in terms of volume.
You have nothing. One should never allow themselves to think that they have, one can just touch - to have is to lack appreciation, to touch is to want to touch again.
Robert Plant
4. AC/DC
In the 1980s, AC/DC were so loud on the road at the start of their Back in Black tour that they were ordered to turn down the volume during the rest of their gigs. The reason for this was 130 dB at Northlands Coliseum in Canada. The effects became visible years later, however, when singer Brian Johnson slipped close to complete hearing loss.
When I'm on stage the savage in me is released. It's like going back to being a cave man. It takes me six hours to come down after a show.
Angus Young
3. Motörhead
Also fully deservedly one of the loudest heavy metal bands of all time are Motörhead. The Brits also reached a breathtaking 130 dB. 1984, at their gig at the Cleveland Variety Theatre (USA), this sound level caused cracks in the ceiling. A few months later, this venue forever closed its doors.
I don't do regrets. Regrets are pointless. It's too late for regrets. You've already done it, haven't you? You've lived your life. No point wishing you could change it.
Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister
2. KISS
In 2009 KISS played a concert at the Bluesfest in Ottawa. There was an official requirement not to exceed 90 dB. But the American hard rockers seemed not to have heard it. They started with 136 dB and had to reduce the volume during the show. There is only one group among heavy metal bands that has ever been louder…
You can't go through life and leave things the way they are. We can all make a difference, and if I die today, I know I made a difference.
Gene Simmons
1. Manowar
During a soundcheck at the Magic Circle Fest in Germany, Manowar set a record for loudness of 139 dB, which has remained unbroken ever since. The US Americans are thus officially the loudest heavy metal band of all heavy metal bands on this planet. Hail to the king baby!
I believe in the fans, I believe in metal more than anybody you've ever met... And another thing, I'm prepared to die for metal. Are you?
Joey DeMaio
Should also be turned up loud:
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The 6 most underrated heavy metal bands
There are heavy metal bands that simply deserve more of everything: more attention, more glory, more fame. In the following, I list six groups that, in my opinion, are among them. Highly subjective, but rightly so:
6. Paladin
Paladin have only released one album so far, Ascension in 2019, but they combine thrash and power metal so well on their debut album that every fan of either genre must have heard of them. Check out tips: Awakening, Shoot For The Sun and Genisis. Remains to be seen how the journey continues for the band from Atlanta.
5. Trick Or Treat
The band from Modena in Italy has been active since 2002 and has released numerous albums. Among them, especially noteworthy are The Legend Of The XII Saints and Tin Soldiers. Trick Or Treat play power metal that is super catchy, with great choruses and distinctive voice. Check out tips: Aries: Stardust Revolution, and Freedom.
4. Nocturnal Rites
Not a blank canvas and already active since 1990 are Nocturnal Rites. The band went through numerous lineup changes since its foundation and there were 10 long years between the release of the Swedes’ 8th and 9th studio albums. Check out tips: A Heart As Black As Coal, Afterlife, and The Vision.
3. Steel Prophet
Another band that is not unknown, but should have become much bigger is Steel Prophet. The US Americans have already released a remarkable 13 albums. On it grenades like The God Machine, When Six Was Nine and Goddess Arise. Steel Prophet is definitely one of those underrated heavy metal bands to follow and to support.
2. Ross The Boss
Ross Friedman is a founding member of Manowar, among others. So he himself is a big name within the metal scene, but his project Ross The Boss is still rather below the radar. Extremely surprising with outstanding songwriting four very good albums, and bangers like Denied By The Cross, and Blood Of My Enemies.
1. Angel Dust
By far one of the most underrated heavy metal bands of all time is Angel Dust, who despite numerous earworms and their masterpiece Enlighten The Darkness never really took off. The band has not released a studio album since 2002. Come on world, what’s going on? Check out tips: The Human Bondage, and The One You Are.
So, our flight has reached its destination, that was all 18 heavy metal bands. But wait, don’t get off yet. Did you like the article? Are you missing a band? Then don’t be shy and write it in the comments!
One Comment
Nick Grimley
A very interesting selection of bands overall. Of the 6+6+6 I’ve seen 6+5+1, which isn’t too bad. Of the factual category of ‘Loudest’ I’ve missed seeing Led Zeppelin but only because they didn’t last as a band that long in comparison to the others and an opportunity to see them (as an adult) didn’t come around very often…. ahh well !!! The other categories are more subjective in compilation especially the ‘underrated’ category. Few people would disagree with the majority of those bands being in their 6 greatest bands. Of the ‘underrated’ bands I’ve only seen Ross The Boss there, twice to date, but each time I’ve seen the band I’ve met Ross Friedman and the guys which is rather cool and what a smashing bloke he is too. I’ve also met their bassist Mike LePond a couple of times from seeing him with Symphony X. I’m familiar with the other 5 bands and will hopefully get to see them all at some point. Angel Dust and Steel Prophet being the ones I’d like to see the most if I could choose.