There are many contenders for the title of “King of Heavy Metal.” Some would say that it is Ozzy Osbourne, while others would give the crown to Metallica. Still, others might say that Iron Maiden is the ultimate metal band. So, who is really the King of Heavy Metal? In this comprehensive guide, we will take a look at all of the contenders and decide once and for all who is the rightful heir to the throne!
Table of Contents
10. Tool
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group’s lineup includes drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Tool is a three-time Grammy Award-winning band and has sold over 13 million records worldwide. The band’s 2006 album, “10000 Days”, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Tool has been described as a “thinking man’s metal band” due to their complex musical compositions and lyrical themes. Their lyrics often explore existential topics such as anxiety, alienation, addiction, betrayal, and rage. In 1995, Keenan told Rolling Stone that “Tool is not a band for everyone. It’s a band for thinking people.”
9. Pantera
Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed in 1981, the group’s lineup originally consisted of vocalist Terry Glaze, guitarist Darrell Abbott, bassist Rex Brown, and drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott. With the release of their fourth album, “Cowboys from Hell” (1990), Pantera became one of the most successful metal bands of the 1990s.
The band’s 1991 album, “Vulgar Display of Power”, debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA. The album featured some of Pantera’s most popular songs, including “Mouth for War” and “Walk”. In 1992, Pantera won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for the song “Cemetery Gates”.
Pantera was known for their aggressive, hard-hitting musical style and their outspoken views on politics and religion. The band was also notorious for their onstage antics, which often involved nudity, pyrotechnics, and moshing. Pantera’s influence can be heard in the work of many subsequent metal bands, including Slipknot and Lamb of God.
In 2019, Pantera was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
8. Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin was an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group consisted of vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. With their heavy, guitar-driven sound and mystical lyrics, Led Zeppelin are widely considered to be one of the first heavy metal bands.
The band’s debut album, “Led Zeppelin I”, was released in 1969 and is credited with helping to pioneer the hard rock and heavy metal genres. Led Zeppelin’s fourth album, “Led Zeppelin IV”, is one of the best-selling albums of all time, with over 37 million copies sold worldwide. The album features the band’s most popular song, “Stairway to Heaven”, which is often cited as one of the greatest rock songs of all time.
Led Zeppelin disbanded in 1980 following the death of John Bonham. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. Led Zeppelin are one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with sales of over 200 million records worldwide.
In 2012, Led Zeppelin was voted number one in a poll of “The Greatest Metal Bands Of All Time” by Rolling Stone magazine. [1]
7. Judas Priest
Judas Priest is an English heavy metal band formed in Birmingham in 1969. The group’s lineup consists of vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. Judas Priest is one of the most influential and commercially successful heavy metal bands of all time, having sold over 50 million records worldwide.
The band’s 1974 album, “Sad Wings of Destiny“, is considered to be a pioneering work in the heavy metal genre. Judas Priest’s signature sound was developed on their 1976 album, “Unleashed in the East”, which featured the now-classic songs “Victim of Changes” and “Hell Bent for Leather”. The band’s 1980 album, “British Steel”, was their commercial breakthrough in the United States, thanks to the singles “Breaking the Law” and “Living After Midnight”.
Despite this setback, Judas Priest continued to enjoy success in the 1990s and 2000s with albums such as “Painkiller” (1990), “Jugulator” (1997), and “Nostradamus” (2008). The band is still active today, having released their latest album, “Firepower”, in 2018. Judas Priest is widely considered to be one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time.
In 2018, Judas Priest was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, the band did not receive enough votes to be inducted. This was widely seen as a major oversight by fans and critics alike. Judas Priest remains one of the most influential and respected heavy metal bands in history.
6. Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1983. The group is led by founder, frontman, and guitarist Dave Mustaine. Megadeth’s lineup has varied considerably throughout the years, although Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson have always been a part of it.
The band has released fifteen studio albums, four live albums, five compilations, three EPs, thirty-six singles, ten video albums, and forty-five music videos. Megadeth is one of the most successful heavy metal bands in history, with over 38 million records sold worldwide.The group has also been nominated for twelve Grammy Awards.
Upon its release in 1985, Megadeth’s debut album “Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good!” was received positively by music critics. The album’s follow-up, “Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying?”, was even more successful, reaching number eleven on the Billboard 200. Megadeth’s third album, “So Far, So Good… So What!”, was released in 1988 and featured the band’s first top forty single, “Anarchy in the U.K.”
The band experienced a number of lineup changes in the 1990s, which led to a decline in commercial success. However, Megadeth rebounded in the new millennium with the release of their eighth album, “The World Needs a Hero” (2001). This was followed by a return to form with their next album, “The System Has Failed” (2004).
In the 2010s, Megadeth has continued to release new material and tour on a regular basis. The band’s fifteenth studio album, “Dystopia”, was released in 2016 to critical acclaim. Even to this day, Megadeth is hugely popular and continues to shape the sound of heavy metal music.
5. Slayer
Slayer is a metal band from the United States. The group was founded in 1981 by guitarist Kerry King and drummer Dave Lombardo. The band’s lineup has fluctuated over the years, but it has always included King and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya.
Most people would be surprised to know that the metal band, Slayer, has sold over five million records worldwide. The group is also credited with helping to pioneer the thrash metal genre. Slayer’s unique sound is defined by fast tempos, aggressive musicianship, and dark lyrics about death, violence, war, and Satanism.
Slayer’s debut album, “Show No Mercy”, was released in 1983 to positive reviews. The album’s follow-up, “Hell Awaits”, was even more successful, reaching number forty-nine on the Billboard 200. Slayer’s third album, “Reign in Blood”, is considered to be a thrash metal classic and is often cited as one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time.
The band experienced a decline in commercial success in the early 1990s, but rebounded with the release of their fifth album, “Divine Intervention” (1994). This was followed by another period of declining sales in the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, Slayer returned to form with their 2006 album, “Christ Illusion”, which debuted at number five on the Billboard 200.
Slayer has continued to release new music and tour regularly in the 2010s. The band’s twelfth studio album, “Repentless”, was released in 2015 to critical acclaim. Slayer remains one of the most popular and influential heavy metal bands in the world.
4. Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden is an English heavy metal band from Leyton in East London. The group was formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Iron Maiden’s lineup has changed numerous times over the years, but has always included Harris and vocalist Bruce Dickinson.
With over 100 million records sold globally, Iron Maiden is one of the most successful and influential heavy metal bands in history. The group is also credited with helping to pioneer the new wave of British heavy metal movement. Iron Maiden’s signature sound is characterized by fast tempos, powerful musicianship, and operatic vocals.
“Fear of the Dark” (1992) was their ninth album, and despite an early commercial decline in the 1990s, this breathed new life into the band. After a period of increased sales in the mid-1990s, there was another decline in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Iron Maiden’s fifteenth studio album, “The Final Frontier” (2010), marked their return to success and debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart. [2]
3. Black Sabbath
The original Black Sabbath lineup consisted of four English musicians: Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Ozzy Osbourne. The band formed in Birmingham in 1968 and is often credited with creating the heavy metal genre. Sabbath’s dark and ominous sound was a radical departure from the peace-and-love vibes of the late 1960s hippie scene.
Throughout their career, Black Sabbath underwent many lineup changes but always maintained their signature sound. Iommi is the only member to have played on all of the band’s studio albums. Osbourne was fired from the band in 1979 but rejoined them in 1997 for a reunion tour.
Black Sabbath officially retired in 2017 after 49 years as one of the most influential heavy metal bands of all time.
Black Sabbath released a total of 19 studio albums, eight live albums, and countless compilations and singles. Some of their most popular albums include “Paranoid” (1970), “Master of Reality” (1971), “Vol.
In addition to their musical legacy, Black Sabbath is also known for their wild lifestyle offstage. Osbourne’s excessive drinking and drug use led to many hospitalizations and near-death experiences. Ward battled alcoholism for much of his life and eventually left the band due to health issues. Iommi has been sober since 2012 after battling cancer.
Despite their personal struggles,Black Sabbath remains one of the most influential heavy metal bands of all time. They are often cited as an inspiration by some of today’s biggest metal acts such as Metallica, Slipknot, and Megadeth. [3]
2. Dream Theater
The band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts as Majesty. They are often cited as one of the most prolific and influential bands in progressive metal, and are well known for their highly technical instrumental performances and complex compositions.
The band has released thirteen studio albums, two live albums, one compilation album, one EP, thirteen video albums, nine DVDs and thirty-four singles. Dream Theater has sold over 15 million records worldwide. The group was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2010.
Despite their success, Dream Theater has not been able to achieve widespread mainstream appeal; they are still largely unknown to the general public, and their albums have never been commercially successful in the US. However, they have a large and dedicated fan base around the world, who have helped them to achieve a level of success that most other metal bands can only dream of. [4]
1. Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. The band was formed in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist James Hetfield, and has been a major player in the metal scene ever since. Metallica’s first album, “Kill ‘Em All”, was released in 1983 and featured such hits as “Whiplash” and “Seek & Destroy”. The band’s second album, Ride the Lightning, was released the following year and cemented their place as one of the premier metal bands with tracks like “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “Fade to Black”.
In 1986, Metallica released their third album, Master of Puppets. This album is often considered to be their best work, and features such classics as “Battery” and “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)”. Metallica’s fourth album, …And Justice for All, was released in 1988 and featured the band’s biggest hit to date, “One”.
Metallica is one of the most successful heavy metal bands of all time, selling over 100 million records worldwide. They have won nine Grammy Awards, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. [5]
FAQ
Who is the most successful heavy metal band?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as success can be measured in a number of ways. However, Metallica is often cited as the most successful heavy metal band of all time, having sold over 110 million records worldwide. The group is also credited with helping to pioneer the musical genre known as “thrash metal”. Metallica’s signature sound is characterized by fast tempos, aggressive guitar playing, and powerful vocal performances.
Who is the most famous heavy metal singer?
Again, there is no definitive answer to this question. However, James Hetfield of Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath, and Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden are some of the most well-known and respected heavy metal vocalists. These artists are renowned for their powerful vocals and audience connection.
Who made heavy metal famous?
Heavy metal was first popularized in the 1970s by bands such as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple. These groups helped to pioneer the genre and establish it as a viable musical style. In the 1980s, Metallica emerged as one of the most successful and influential heavy metal bands of all time, further solidifying the genre’s place in the world of music. today, heavy metal is enjoyed by fans all over the globe.
Who are the best voices in the history of metal?
This is a difficult question to answer, as there are so many great heavy metal singers out there. However, some of the most popular and influential heavy metal singers include James Hetfield of Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath, and Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden. These singers are known for their powerful vocal performances and their ability to connect with fans.
Is heavy metal still popular?
Yes, heavy metal is still popular today. The genre has a large and passionate fan base all over the world. Heavy metal bands continue to tour and release new music, and the genre shows no signs of slowing down. If you’re a fan of heavy metal, there’s never been a better time to be alive!
What is the first metal song?
The first heavy metal song is often cited as “Black Sabbath” by Black Sabbath. This song, released in 1970, is considered to be a pioneering track in the genre. It features heavy guitar riffs and dark lyrics, which helped to establish heavy metal as a distinct musical style. Other early heavy metal songs include “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple and “Led Zeppelin IV” by Led Zeppelin. [6]
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Conclusion
So who is the king of heavy metal? It’s hard to say for sure, but there are certainly a lot of contenders. Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, and Megadeth all come to mind. But in the end, it may be up to the fans to crown the true king. Who do you think it is? Let us know in the comments below.
References:
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/Led-Zeppelin
- https://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~rwest/wikispeedia/wpcd/wp/i/Iron_Maiden.htm
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/Black-Sabbath
- https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dream-theater-mn0000803544/biography
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/Metallica
- https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/9_tracks_that_are_considered_to_be_the_first_heavy_metal_song_ever-96119