I'm creating a new weekly feature called the Tuesday Top 5, obviously recurring every Tuesday. Each week I'll list my top 5 for various different categories. This is influenced by That Metal Show, but if there are any category suggestions for the TT5, please share.
One of my favorite metal blogs, Metal Sucks, recently polled an extensive and impressive list of metal musicians, fans, and writers and came up with their Top 25 Best Metal Bands of All Time. I am starting off the weekly tradition of TT5 with a bang and giving you my Top 5 Metal Bands of All Time.
5) Motorhead
If you look up heavy metal in the dictionary, you see a picture of Motorhead (I wish). Motorhead, and Lemmy in particular, have played the same style of metal since they began in 1977. One of the most prolific bands around, they haven't changed and people love them for it. The first few Motorhead albums are heavy metal staples and their most recent albums are instant classics. If someone defines themselves as a metalhead and says that Motorhead sucks, please point them to the nearest door. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. And Motorhead ain't broke.
4) Iron Maiden
The leader of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal pack, Iron Maiden have been cranking out some of the best melodic heavy metal since 1975. Despite a few lineup changes, they have maintained an exceptional level of talent and musicianship. They are one of the biggest bands (not just metal) in the world. Even though they could play to millions of fans a year by only using old material, they have consistently put out amazing albums, playing the songs live, and attendance numbers haven't dropped. They have defined their own style of long, epic, galloping songs that make every time you listen to them feel like an adventure. Don't go changing Iron Maiden. In Eddie we trust.
3) Slayer
The "Un-Holy Trinity" of heavy metal (Reign in Blood, South of Heaven, Seasons in the Abyss) have not only put Slayer into legendary status, but have also influenced every metal band to come after them. Despite being famous for writing three of the greatest metal albums of all time, they have consistently put out heavy, pounding, in-your-face thrash metal since 1981. Dave Lombardo is the king of the double bass, Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman are the architects of sinister riffing, and Tom Araya has the mightiest roar in metal. Even though the classic, original lineup can no longer exist due to contract issues with Dave and Jeff's untimely passing, Slayer reign on and continue to tour and put out new music. Keep an eye out for a new album in 2015.
2) Metallica
We've all heard the counter arguments, but the truth of the matter is Metallica is the biggest metal band of all time. Yes they're commercially successful. Yes you can hear their music on any radio station and stadium PA. Yes everyone and their brother know who they are. BUT THAT'S OK! There is nothing wrong with a metal band having mass appeal, attracting huge attention to the genre and if Metallica are usually that "gateway drug". Despite their success, most of their work is phenomenal. Sure there are blemishes in the library, but their first five albums (yes, the Black album) are near perfection. Metallica is back on track with Death Magnetic and is reportedly coming out with new music soon.
1) Black Sabbath
Plain and simple, EVERY metal band owes everything to Sabbath. If it weren't for Tony Iommi's accident as a teenager, we may never have heard down tuned guitar that sounded so good. Iommi, along with Ozzy, Geezer, and Bill Ward, went on to create the basis for what heavy metal was to become. Black Sabbath off Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath is the most evil metal song of all time. They've had numerous variations of themselves, including having legendary Ronnie James Dio as Ozzy's replacement at lead singer. Despite Iommi's health, they released a new album in 2013 followed up by a successful world tour. They have said that their next album and tour will be their last. They were the first, and they are the best.
MetalSucks.com Top 5 Recap:
5) Pantera
4) Metallica
3) Slayer
2) Iron Maiden
1) Black Sabbath
Amen, brother. Good picks.
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