1. Metallica
I admit, these guys haven't given us a quality album for quite some time, and their "selling out" is highly debatable, but no one can deny their impact on the heavy metal scene and culture. These dudes showed a faster and tougher alternative to the likes of Iron Maiden and other NWOBHM bands. Fuck, has any band delivered a masterpiece rivaling Master of Puppets? These guys know how to play a live show, even with songs from St. Anger (which sound surprisingly good live).
2. Slayer
These guys are like the evil, brutally fast, and angry counterparts to Metallica. While Metallica played to a larger audience, Slayer consistently delivered brutal efforts such as Seasons in the Abyss and South of Heaven. Their best effort, Reign in Blood rivals Metallica's Puppets album in shear genius.
3. Black Sabbath
The originators of heavy metal would have been on the top of the list if it wasn't for Ozzy leaving the band. Don't get me wrong, Ronnie James Dio is a phenomenal singer, but Ozzy is the voice of the true Black Sabbath. When Ozzy left, I think Black Sabbath lost part of their soul. Nevertheless, if it wasn't for Black Sabbath, Paranoid, Master of Reality, and Heaven and Hell (with Dio), heavy metal wouldn't be what it is today.
4. Iron Maiden/Judas Priest TIE
Dual guitar leads, menacing riffery, awesome imagery, timeless lyrics, what else can we ask for? These guys are the epitome of the metal band. British Steel, Piece of Mind, The Number of the Beast, Screaming for Vengeance, and Killers are just amazing! That Steve Harris is a bad motherfucker!
5. Immortal
Venom promoted the satanic shit early on, other bands such as Mayhem helped the genre grow, but black metal would be lost without Immortal, the Sons of Northern Darkness just fucking rule this shit! Get Battles in the North!
6. King Diamond
That fucking voice! The awesome guitar work (Abigail)! Words can't describe how good this dude and his band is. Just amazing!
7. Nile
I loved these guys since Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ka, but Annihilation of the Wicked cemented these dudes as the kings of death metal. They honestly rule with major balls! The musicianship is phenomenal with machine gun blast beats, brutal riffing, and the most gruesome vocals ever!
8. Children of Bodom
Alexi Laiho is the next Randy Rhoads! Yes, I said it. This dude can play up and down the fretboard so effortlessly! I urge you to check out Hatebreeder, Follow the Reaper, and Hatecrew Deathroll. The songs are just amazing, showcasing dual leads featuring Laiho and his keyboard virtuoso side-kick.
9. Anthrax
I like these guys best when John Bush is the frontman. His voice is so fucking pleasing to the ear. Nevertheless, the true high points of Anthrax's illustrious career are present in Among the Living, Spreading the Disease, Fistful of Metal, and State of Euphoria. Spitz is good, but I like Caggiano's style better.
10. Aura Noir
I'm hooked on these guys. They play a mix between thrash and black metal, and it sounds so fucking good. I urge you to check out all their albums, especially The Merciless.
PANTERA
They would have been number 2, but I hold this band in a special place because my favorite guitarrist, Dimebag Darrell Abbott, was killed almost a year ago in a senseless act of cowardice. I miss you so much Dime. I almost cry when I remember that day in December. I listen to Cemetery Gates at least once a week in your memory!
Alright fuckers, before you begin to obliterate my picks, keep in mind that this list is purely subjective, meaning that it is my opinion, and you don't have to agree. The method used for picking these bands is simple: I picked the bands that I listen to the most, and which have had an impact on my approach to music in general.
Please, no personal attacks when making comments regarding anyone's opinions. Here's an example of what NOT to say:
You're gay because you like Slipknot. Metallica are sell-outs, that means you're an idiot. Your mom sucked my balls because I disagree with you.
If you don't follow the fucking rules, your comment will be deleted, and I'll probably write a post telling the world how much you fucking suck!
5 comments:
Right on! Its nice to read a "top 10 heavy metal bands" list that doesnt automatically put Sabbath as number one. Metallica have totally changed the way metal is percieved/played/respected throughout the world and although Sabbath was first, i think the impact of Metallica was far, far greater. Very respectable list....
Thanks dude! I tend to discard the Metallica sell-out argument for the reason that their impact on heavy metal music and culture is second to none. Metallica dared play faster and heavier at a time when every band either wanted to sound like Iron Maiden or wear lipstick and eyeliner. While Sabbath was first, Metallica perfected heavy metal.
I have to say, I don't quite agree with this list, but that's probably because I am much more on the progressive and power metal side of the spectrum! Replace some of those bands like Immortal with Queensrÿche, Helloween, and the like I could agree. Still, I think Maiden is number one, just because I haven't heard a song of theirs yet that I don't like, let alone an album.
Fair enough! As you can see, I'm not particularly entertained by the power metal subgenre. I prefer the classic, thrash, black, and death stuff. The power metal stuff is good, but I find the classic to be, uh, classic, the thrash to be a turning-point in metal, the black to be the raw/evil side, and the death metal to be the technical stuff. As for progressive metal, I love Opeth, and I do regret not including "Blackwater Park" on the list. This is a "living" list, so it can change rather quickly. Toodles!
Heh :) I was almost gonna say: "Where's Opeth?", but you just answered. Maybe a top 15 would leave more space ... :)
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