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List of Heavy Metal Bands
This is a list of heavy metal artists, especially those from the first fourteen years of the movement. For bands that formed after 1981, please consult the lists for each heavy metal subgenre.
Original movement: 1965-1981
In the late 1960s a number of bands began pushing the limits of blues rock into a new genre which would be called heavy metal.[1][2]
In 1981,[3] three of the 'Big Four' thrash metal bands emerged: Metallica,[4]Slayer[5] and Anthrax;[6] to be joined on the scene in 1983 by Megadeth.[7]
0-9
Name |
Origin |
Years active |
Brief summary |
---|
220 Volt |
Sweden |
1979-present |
|
44 Magnum |
Japan |
1977-1989, 2002-present |
|
A
Name |
Origin |
Years active |
Brief summary |
---|
A II Z |
United Kingdom |
1979-1982 |
|
Accept[8] |
Germany |
1968-1989, 1992-1997, 2004-2005, 2009-present |
Accept played an important role in the development of speed metal and Teutonic thrash metal, being part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene which emerged in the early to mid-1980s.[9] |
AC/DC |
Australia |
1973-present |
|
Aerosmith[10] |
United States |
1970-present |
|
Alice Cooper[9][11] |
United States |
1968-present |
|
Angel |
United States |
1975-1981, 1987, 1998-present |
|
ngeles del Infierno |
Spain |
1978-present |
|
Angel Witch |
United Kingdom |
1977-1982, 1984-1998, 2000-present |
|
Anthem |
Japan |
1980-1992, 2000-present |
|
Anthrax |
United States |
1981-present |
|
Anvil |
Canada |
1978-present |
|
Armageddon |
United Kingdom |
1974-1976 |
|
Atomic Rooster |
United Kingdom |
1969-1975, 1980-1983 |
|
Atomkraft |
United Kingdom |
1979-1988, 2005 |
|
Attila |
United States |
1969-1970 |
Bandmembers included Billy Joel and Jon Small. |
Avenged Sevenfold |
Huntington Beach, California |
|
1999- present |
|
Axe |
United States |
1979-1984, 1997-2004 |
|
B
Name |
Origin |
Years active |
Brief summary |
---|
Babe Ruth |
United Kingdom |
1970-1976, 2005-present |
|
Bang[12] |
United States |
1969-1973, 2001-2004 |
|
Barnabas |
United States |
1977-1986 |
|
Barn Rojo |
Spain |
1980-present |
|
Battleaxe |
United Kingdom |
1980-1988, 2010-present |
|
Bengal Tigers |
Australia |
1979-present |
|
Beowlf |
United States |
1981-1995, 2000-present |
|
Birth Control |
Germany |
1966-1983, 1993-2014 |
|
Bitch |
United States |
1980-present |
First band to be signed by the Metal Blade Records label. |
Black Death |
United States |
1977-present |
The first all-African-American heavy metal band. |
Black 'n Blue |
United States |
1981-1989, 1997, 2003, 2007-present |
Lead guitarist Tommy Thayer joined Kiss in 2003. |
Black Rose |
United Kingdom |
1980-1989, 2006-present |
|
Black Sabbath[13] |
United Kingdom |
1968-2006, 2011-2017 |
Black Sabbath was formed by Ozzy Osbourne (lead vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass guitar), and Bill Ward (drums). Alcohol abuse led to Ozzy Osbourne getting fired and replaced with former Rainbow vocalist Ronnie James Dio. Black Sabbath is considered to be the progenitor of doom metal. |
Black Widow |
United Kingdom |
1966-1973, 2007-present |
|
Blitzkrieg |
United Kingdom |
1980-1981, 1984-1991, 1992-1994, 1996-1999, 2001-present |
|
Bloodrock |
United States |
1969-1975 |
|
Blue Cheer[14] |
United States |
1966-1972, 1974-1976, 1978-1979, 1984-1994, 1999-2009 |
|
Blue yster Cult[15] |
United States |
1967-present |
|
Bodine |
Netherlands |
1978-1984 |
|
Boss |
Australia |
1979-1986 |
|
Bow Wow[16] |
Japan |
1975-present |
Also known as Vow Wow for part of their career (1984-1990). |
Bronz |
United Kingdom |
1976-1985, 1999-2000, 2003-2005, 2010-present |
|
Edgar Broughton Band |
United Kingdom |
1968-2010 |
Cited in the 2010 BBC TV documentary Heavy Metal Britannia as a formative influence on the genre in the UK. |
Budgie[17] |
United Kingdom |
1967-present |
|
Buffalo[18][19] |
Australia |
1971-1977 |
|
Bulldozer |
Italy |
1980-1990, 2008-present |
|
C
D
Name |
Origin |
Years active |
Brief summary |
---|
Dark Angel |
United States |
1981-1992, 2002-2005, 2013-present |
|
Death |
United States |
1983-2001 |
The band is a pioneering force in death metal. |
Death Angel |
United States |
1982-1991, 2001-present |
|
Death SS |
Italy |
1977-1984, 1988-present |
|
Dedringer |
United Kingdom |
1977-1985 |
|
Deep Machine |
United Kingdom |
1979-1982, 2009-present |
|
Deep Purple |
United Kingdom |
1968-1976, 1984-present |
|
Def Leppard |
United Kingdom |
1977-present |
The band began as a heavy metal outfit. |
Demon |
United Kingdom |
1979-present |
Headlined the first British Steel Festival in 2006.[21] |
The Deviants |
United Kingdom |
1967-1969, 1978, 1984, 1996, 2002, 2011-present |
Singer and writer Mick Farren died on 27 July 2013. |
Diamond Head |
United Kingdom |
1976-1985, 1991-1994, 2002-present |
|
Die Krupps |
Germany |
1980-present |
|
Divlje Jagode |
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
1977-present |
|
Dokken |
United States |
1978-1989, 1993-present |
|
Dust |
United States |
1969-1972 |
Drummer Marc Bell joined The Ramones in 1978. |
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
Name |
Origin |
Years active |
Brief summary |
---|
Kat |
Poland |
1979-1987, 1990-1999, 2002-present |
|
Kerber |
Serbia |
1981-present |
|
Kick Axe |
Canada |
1976-1988, 2003-present |
|
Killer |
Belgium |
1980-present |
|
Killer Dwarfs |
Canada |
1981-1995, 2001-2008 |
|
Killing Joke |
United Kingdom |
1978-1996, 2002-present |
|
King's X |
United States |
1979-present |
|
Kiss |
United States |
1973-present |
|
Kix |
United States |
1977-1996, 2003-present |
|
Krokus |
Switzerland |
1974-present |
|
L
M
Name |
Origin |
Years active |
Brief summary |
---|
Mahogany Rush |
Canada |
1970-1980, 1998-present |
|
Malice |
United States |
1980-1989, 2006-present |
|
Yngwie Malmsteen |
Sweden |
1978-present |
|
Mama's Boys |
Ireland |
1978-1993 |
|
Manilla Road |
United States |
1977-1990, 2001-present |
|
Manowar |
United States |
1980-present |
Drummer Scott Columbus died on 4 April 2011. |
Marseille |
United Kingdom |
1976-present |
|
Max Webster |
Canada |
1973-1982 |
|
May Blitz |
United Kingdom |
1969-1972 |
|
Mentors |
United States |
1976-present |
|
Mercyful Fate |
Denmark |
1981-1985, 1992-1999 |
King Diamond on vocals. |
Metal Church |
United States |
1980-1994, 1998-2009, 2012-present |
|
Metallica |
United States |
1981-present |
Bassist Cliff Burton died on 27 September 1986. |
Ministry |
United States |
1981-2008, 2011-present |
Started as a new wave act. |
Misfits |
United States |
1977-1983, 1995-present |
|
Montrose |
United States |
1973-1976, 2005 |
|
More |
United Kingdom |
1980-1982, 1985, 1998-2000, 2011-present |
|
Mtley Cre |
United States |
1981-2015 |
|
Motrhead |
United Kingdom |
1975-2015 |
Lemmy died on 28 December 2015. |
Mountain[29] |
United States |
1969-1972, 1973-1974, 1981-1985, 1992-1998, 2001-present |
|
Moxy |
Canada |
1974-1983, 1999-2009 |
|
N
O
Name |
Origin |
Years active |
Brief summary |
---|
The Obsessed |
United States |
1976-1986, 1990-1995, 2011-present |
|
Ozzy Osbourne |
United Kingdom |
1980-present |
|
Ostrogoth |
Belgium |
1980-1988, 2002, 2010-present |
|
Overkill |
United States |
1980-present |
|
Oz |
Finland |
1977-1991, 2010-present |
|
P
Q
Name |
Origin |
Years active |
Brief summary |
---|
Quartz |
United Kingdom |
1974-1983, 1996, 2011 |
|
Queensrche[34] |
United States |
1981-present |
|
Quiet Riot |
United States |
1975-present |
|
R
Name |
Origin |
Years active |
Brief summary |
---|
Rainbow |
United Kingdom |
1975-1984, 1993-1997, 2016-present |
Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore formed Rainbow in 1975 after leaving Deep Purple. |
Ratt |
United States |
1976-1992, 1996-present |
|
Raven |
United Kingdom |
1974-present |
|
Riot |
United States |
1975-1984, 1986-2012 |
|
Rock Goddess |
United Kingdom |
1977-1987, 1994-1995, 2009, 2015-present |
|
The Rods |
United States |
1978-1986, 2008-present |
|
Rok Ma?ina |
Serbia |
1980-1982 |
|
Rose Tattoo |
Australia |
1976-1987, 1993, 1998-present |
|
Uli Jon Roth |
Germany |
1968-present |
|
Rough Cutt |
United States |
1981-1987, 2000-2002 |
|
The Runaways |
United States |
1975-1979 |
|
Running Wild |
Germany |
1976-2009, 2011-present |
|
Rush |
Canada |
1968-present |
|
S
Name |
Origin |
Years active |
Brief summary |
---|
Saber Tiger |
Japan |
1981-present |
|
Sacred Rite |
United States |
1980-1990 |
|
Saint |
United States |
1980-1989, 1999-present |
|
Saint Vitus |
United States |
1978-1996, 2003, 2008-present |
|
Salem |
United Kingdom |
1979-1983, 2009-present |
|
Paul Samson |
United Kingdom |
1977-2002 |
|
Satan |
United Kingdom |
1979-1988, 2005-present |
|
Savage |
United Kingdom |
1976-present |
|
Savage Grace |
United States |
1981-1993, 2009-2010 |
|
Savatage |
United States |
1978-2002, 2014-present |
Previous members of the band formed the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in 1996. |
Saxon |
United Kingdom |
1976-present |
|
Michael Schenker Group |
Germany |
1979-present |
|
Scorpions |
Germany |
1965-present |
|
Shark Island |
United States |
1979-1992 |
|
Sir Lord Baltimore |
United States |
1968-1976, 2006-present |
|
Sister |
United States |
1976-1978 |
|
Skitzo |
United States |
1981-present |
|
Slayer |
United States |
1981-present |
|
Sodom |
Germany |
1981-present |
|
Sorcery |
United States |
1976-1987 |
|
Sortilge |
France |
1981-1986 |
|
Sound Barrier |
United States |
1980-1987 |
|
Spinal Tap |
United States |
1979-present |
Parody heavy metal band which first appeared on TV in 1979, with American actors playing the parts of fictional British musicians. |
Spider |
United Kingdom |
1976-1986 |
|
Stampede |
United Kingdom |
1981-1983, 2009-present |
|
Starz |
United States |
1975-1979, 1980, 1990, 2003-present |
|
Steeler |
Germany |
1981-1988 |
|
Steppenwolf |
Canada/United States |
1967-present |
The 1967 recording Born to Be Wild was one of the first rock songs to contain the phrase "Heavy Metal" in its lyrics. |
Stormwitch |
Germany |
1979-1994, 2002-present |
|
Stray |
United Kingdom |
1966-present |
|
Suck |
South Africa |
1970-1971 |
|
Suicidal Tendencies |
United States |
1980-1995, 1997-present |
|
Sweet Savage |
United Kingdom |
1979-present |
|
T
Name |
Origin |
Years active |
Brief summary |
---|
Tank |
United Kingdom |
1980-1989, 1997-present |
|
Tarantula |
Portugal |
1981-present |
|
Tesla |
United States |
1981-1996, 2000-present |
|
Thin Lizzy |
Ireland |
1969-1984, 1996-2012 |
|
Thor |
Canada |
1976-1978, 1983-1986, 1997-present |
|
TKO |
United States |
1977-2001 |
|
Toad |
Switzerland |
1970-1995 |
|
Tobruk |
United Kingdom |
1981-1987 |
|
Trespass |
United Kingdom |
1978-1982, 1992-1993, 2013-present |
|
Triumph |
Canada |
1975-1993, 2008-present |
|
Trooper |
Canada |
1974-present |
|
Trouble |
United States |
1979-present |
|
Trust |
France |
1977-1985, 1988, 1996-2000, 2006 |
|
TSA |
Poland |
1979-present |
|
Tucky Buzzard |
United Kingdom |
1969-1974 |
|
Turbo |
Poland |
1980-present |
|
Twisted Sister |
United States |
1972-1988, 1997-present |
|
Tygers of Pan Tang |
United Kingdom |
1978-1987, 1999-present |
|
Tytan |
United Kingdom |
1981-1983, 2012-present |
|
U
Name |
Origin |
Years active |
Brief summary |
---|
UFO |
United Kingdom |
1969-1988, 1992-present |
|
Urchin |
United Kingdom |
1972-1980 |
|
Uriah Heep |
United Kingdom |
1969-present |
|
V
Name |
Origin |
Years active |
Brief summary |
---|
V8 |
Argentina |
1979-1987 |
|
Vandenberg |
Netherlands |
1981-1987 |
|
Van Halen |
United States |
1972-present |
|
Vanilla Fudge[35] |
United States |
1967-1970, 1982-1984, 1987-1988, 1991, 1999-present |
|
Vardis |
United Kingdom |
1973-1986, 2014-present |
|
Venom |
United Kingdom |
1979-present |
|
Vicious Rumors |
United States |
1979-present |
|
Virgin Steele |
United States |
1981-present |
|
Vixen |
United States |
1973-1991, 1997-1998, 2001-present |
Also known as Genesis (1973-1974). |
Vulcain |
France |
1981-1998, 2009-present |
|
W
Name |
Origin |
Years active |
Brief summary |
---|
Warhorse[22] |
United Kingdom |
1970-1974, (partial reunions: 1985, 2005) |
|
Warning |
France |
1980-1985 |
|
Warpig |
Canada |
1968-1975, 2004-present |
|
White Sister |
United States |
1980-1986, 2008-2009 |
|
Whitesnake |
United Kingdom |
1978-1990, 1994, 1997, 2002-present |
|
White Spirit |
United Kingdom |
1975-1981 |
|
White Wolf |
Canada |
1975-1986, 2007-present |
|
Wild Dogs |
United States |
1981-present |
|
Wild Horses |
United Kingdom |
1978-1981 |
|
Witchfinder General |
United Kingdom |
1979-1984, 2006-2008 |
|
Witchfynde |
United Kingdom |
1974-1984, 1999-present |
|
Wrathchild |
United Kingdom |
1980-1990, 2009-present |
|
Wrathchild America |
United States |
1978-1993 |
|
X
Name |
Origin |
Years active |
Brief summary |
---|
Xentrix |
United Kingdom |
1985-2004, 2005-2012, 2017 - present |
One of the first bands of English thrash metal. |
Y
Name |
Origin |
Years active |
Brief summary |
---|
Y&T |
United States |
1974-1991, 1995-present |
|
Z
Name |
Origin |
Years active |
Brief summary |
---|
Zoetrope |
United States |
1976-1993 |
|
See also
References
- ^ Weinstein, Deena. Heavy Metal: The Music and its Culture. DaCapo, 2000. ISBN 0-306-80970-2, pg. 14.
- ^ Christe, Ian (2004). Sound of the Beast. Allison & Busby. p. 1. ISBN 0-7490-8351-4.
- ^ http://80music.about.com/od/80smusic12/tp/1981moments.htm 1981 Snapshots in Music from About.com Web Guide
- ^ http://www.kerrang.com/wheretostartwith/artists/metallica Profile of Metallica at www.kerrang.com
- ^ http://www.answers.com/topic/slayer-1 Profile of Slayer at Answers.com
- ^ http://www.answers.com/topic/anthrax-artist Profile of Anthrax at Answers.com
- ^ http://www.lyricsfreak.com/m/megadeth/back in the day_10177974.html "The world of metal changed forever..." - autiobiographical Megadeth lyrics at LyricsFreak website
- ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Accept biography". AllMusic. Retrieved .
- ^ a b Walser, Robert (1999). Running with The Devil. Wesleyan University Press. pp. s. 11, 16, 78. ISBN 0-8195-6260-2.
- ^ Walser, Robert (1999). Running with The Devil. Wesleyan University Press. pp. s. 8, 13. ISBN 0-8195-6260-2.
- ^ Christe, Ian (2004). Sound of the Beast. Allison & Busby. pp. 2, 16, 18, 19, 39, 56-69, 93, 304, 333. ISBN 0-7490-8351-4.
- ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Bang biography". AllMusic. Retrieved .
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Black Sabbath biography". AllMusic. Retrieved .
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Blue Cheer biography". AllMusic. Retrieved .
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Blue Oyster Cult biography". AllMusic. Retrieved .
- ^ "BOWWOW Frontman Kyoji Yamamoto". bravewords.com. Retrieved .
- ^ Prato, Greg. "Budgie biography". AllMusic. Retrieved .
- ^ Bealmear, Bart. "Dead Forever... review". AllMusic. Retrieved .
- ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Volcanic Rock review". AllMusic. Retrieved .
- ^ Planer, Lindsay. "One Way... or Another review". AllMusic. Retrieved .
- ^ http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=48603 British Steel Festival 2006 details at Roadrunner Records' website, 20 February 2006
- ^ a b c d Sleazegrinder (March 2007). "The Lost Pioneers of Heavy Metal". Classic Rock.
- ^ [1] Rolling Stone
- ^ [2] Rock Eras by James M. Curtis
- ^ [3] Saga of Rock Still Rolling, Toledo Blade, 1979
- ^ Christe, Ian (2004). Sound of the Beast. Allison & Busby. p. 12. ISBN 0-7490-8351-4.
- ^ http://www.musicmight.com/artist/united states/california/los angeles/london Biography of the band London at MusicMight.com, 2009
- ^ "AMG bio of Lucifer's Friend". Retrieved .
- ^ Ingham, Chris (2002). The Book of Metal. Thunder's Mouth Press. p. 204. ISBN 978-1-56025-419-5.
- ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Necromandus biography". AllMusic. Retrieved .
- ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Mournin review". AllMusic. Retrieved .
- ^ Roberts, Roxanne & Argetsinger, Amy. "Ted Nugent: Long past his 'rock star' days, how he caused a political firestorm". The Washington Post. Retrieved .
- ^ Rolling Stone magazine. "Ted Nugent biography". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved .
- ^ [4] allmusic ((( Queensryche > Overview )))
- ^ Christe, Ian (2004). Sound of the Beast. Allison & Busby. p. 13. ISBN 0-7490-8351-4.
External links