The Top Ten Metal Bands Of All Time – SonicAbuse Guest Feature

When discussing the ten best metal bands of all-time we must first define the term ‘metal band.’  We all have a different idea on the nature of a metal band.  In fact, we can debate the ‘heavy metal-ness’ of certain bands almost as much as we can debate the merits of a top ten list.  For the sake of this article ‘metal’ is a historical term.  That means we’ve picked bands that have been historically linked to heavy metal music not bands that necessarily adhere to today’s concept of the genre.  Metal has changed a lot over the years and this list reflects that dynamism.

While we’re at it, we should also define ‘best.’  As it applies to this list, ‘best’ not only means ‘of the highest quality’ but also ‘has withstood the test of time.’  That’s why the bands on our list are all from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.  When we address this topic in a decade or two we might see the inclusion of bands like Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, and Black Dahlia Murder.

10. Deep Purple

Using today standards, Deep Purple may not fall under the category of heavy metal music but this English group is one of the genre’s most celebrated pioneers.  Think about it, what heavy metal guitarist didn’t try to play ‘Smoke on the Water’ the first time they picked up an axe?  Deep Purple has sold more than 100 million albums and their most successful line up featured singer Ian Gillan and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore.  Their seminal album is 1972ís Machine Head.

9. KISS

In some ways KISS isn’t a heavy metal band and in other ways they’re the quintessential heavy metal band.  Detractors should consider this: if KISS had never put on the makeup or sold their own brand of condoms they’d still be on this list.  KISS might be able to write a doctoral thesis in marketing but they are also a great heavy metal band.  During their illustrious career, which is still going strong, KISS has released 20 studio albums and sold more than 100 million records.  More importantly their live shows have transcended the typical notion of ‘heavy metal concert.’  Seeing KISS live is an event.

8. Motorhead

Motorhead comes in at number eight because they combined heavy metal music with punk rock.  Speed-wise, they’re the bridge between Judas Priest and Metallica.  Of course, the best thing about Motorhead, especially their lead singer Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister, is what you see is what you get.  Motorhead are anything but posers and Kilmister would be a rock star, and lead a rock star life, if he fronted a heavy metal band or sold insurance.  The band’s pinnacle is Ace of Spades from 1980.

7. Slayer

Armed with one of the best band names in music, and worshipped by throngs of diehard fans, Slayer was an easy choice for our list.  The ground-breaking thrash band is buoyed by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King and singer/bassist Tom Araya.  Slayer’s magnum opus is 1986ís Reign in Blood.  Even your grandmother is familiar with the riff to the album’s title track.  Controversy seems to follow Slayer around but don’t let the rumours and their taste for the macabre fool you, they are masterful musicians and experts at their craft.

6. Megadeth

Dave Mustaine should get an award.  He was in Metallica (number three on our list) and he’s the creative force behind our sixth selection, Megadeth.  Mustaine formed the band in 1983 after he got the boot from Metallica.  Since then, Megadeth has release 13 studio albums and sold nearly 40 million records.  Mustaineís Megadeth is one of the ìBig Four of Thrash Metalî alongside Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax.  If you’re looking to get into Megadeth start with their 1986 masterpiece Peace Sells but Who’s Buying?

5. Judas Priest

Judas Priest took the ball from Black Sabbath and ran with it.  They are a dominating heavy metal presence thanks to the charisma of frontman Rob Halford and the dual-lead guitars of K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton.  Fashion-wise, the band introduced heavy metal to leather-and-studs.  Okay, that wasn’t the greatest idea in the world but what are you going to do?  Judas Priest is number five on our list because of their 1980 release, British Steel.  The album completely removed all vestiges of the blues from heavy metal.  Thanks to Judas Priest heavy metal music will forever stand on its own.

4. Iron Maiden

You either know every lyric of every Iron Maiden song or you think they’re a torture machine.  There’s no in between when it comes Iron Maiden.  That’s because Iron Maiden is the quintessential heavy metal band.  They’re larger-than-life, they’re loud, and their live shows give fans a chance to escape.  Granted, that describes every heavy metal band but within the genre no on excels at those qualities better than Iron Maiden.  Not only that but you have to put a band with their own mascot (Eddie) in the top five.

3. Metallica

Metallica has to be the most popular band of all-time.  They can sell out stadiums despite the fact that most everything they do pisses off their fans (making a music video in 1989, releasing ‘Enter Sandman,’ and fighting Napster, just to name a few).  Metallica became one of the biggest bands in the world based solely on their music as they got little to no help from radio or MTV.  Anchored by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, the band is famous for their speed & they practically invented ‘thrash metal.’  Yet, they also care about the finer points of their music.  That attention to detail is why Metallica is number three.

2. Led Zeppelin

No band on our list has sold more records than Led Zeppelin.  Then again the only band that has sold more albums than Led Zeppelin is The Beatles.  Commercial success isn’t why Led Zeppelin is our penultimate band.  Their amazing musical ability and song writing prowess landed them at number two.  Some may argue that Led Zeppelin isn’t a heavy metal band; they’re a hard rock or blues rock band.  Regardless, generations of heavy metal musicians grew up emulating Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.  Led Zeppelin is more than just a band they’re archetypes.

1. Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath is the alpha and omega of heavy metal music.  Ozzy Osbourne’s vocals, Tony Iommi’s guitar, and Geezer Butler’s bass defined the genre while their penchant for the occult and horror-based themes established its brand.  Sabbath is closely associated with Osbourne, but after his departure the band released a couple of solid albums with singer Ronnie James Dio.  Black Sabbath was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and they’ve sold more than 70 million albums.  Paranoid (1970) is the band’s best work and one of the greatest albums of all time regardless of genre.  Apart from contemporaries, there’s not a band on this list Black Sabbath hasn’t inspired.