Black Sabbath has been so influential in the development of heavy metal rock music as to be a defining force in the style. The group took the blues-rock sound of late '60s acts like Cream, Blue Cheer, and Vanilla Fudge to its logical conclusion, slowing the tempo, accentuating the bass, and emphasizing screaming guitar solos and howled vocals... [+] Read More

Yes No

Celtic Frost's impact on the evolution of European heavy metal cannot be overstated. Along with power metal kings Helloween (and to a lesser degree, the sometimes cartoonish Mercyful Fate), Frost's enduring influence on Europe's heavy metal landscape is arguably comparable to Metallica's standing in America. Labeled by critics as "avant-garde"... [+] Read More

Yes No

San Francisco's Death Angel was a product of the bustling Bay Area thrash metal scene of the 1980s. Combining serious guitar crunch and speed with a fair amount of technical expertise, they created complex thrash metal filled with time changes and tricky arrangements that, although generally loved by critics, usually failed to translate beyond a... [+] Read More

Yes No

Deconstruction was a one-off project of two former members of Jane's Addiction, bassist Eric Avery and guitarist Dave Navarro. The group was originally to have also included former Jane's drummer Stephen Perkins, but Perkins opted to join up with Perry Farrell in Porno for Pyros, as newcomer Michael Murphy took his spot in the trio.... [+] Read More

Yes No

Founded 1988 in Stockholm/Sweden, Dismember were among those responsible for Death Metals big breakthrough. Reaching even further back through the mists of time to bring you the ultimate in old school Death metal, Dismember has explored their underground roots and paid homage to their NWOBHM heroes to bring you the vicious breed of real Death... [+] Read More

Yes No

When prog rock first reared its head during the early '70s it contained elements of hard rock, but few bands crossed the line into heavy metal. This all changed during the '80s, when bands such as Dream Theater, Watchtower, and Fates Warning merged their love of Yes and Rush with their admiration for Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Formed in... [+] Read More

Yes No

The New Haven, CT-based Hatebreed got together in 1993 for the purpose of creating a "back to basics" hardcore band with heavy, metallic guitars, screaming vocals, and 30-second songs. Consisting of Jamey Jasta (vocals), Lou "Boulder" Richards (guitar), Chris Beattie (bass), Sean Martin (guitar), and Rigg Ross (drums), Hatebreed had the chance... [+] Read More

Yes No

Although not a huge name in the metal world, Omen has enjoyed a small cult following among headbangers since the early '80s. Omen is best-known for melodic yet aggressive power metal/fantasy metal along the lines of King Diamond, Queensr˙che, Savatage, Manowar, and Helloween; Omen is forceful and hard-driving, but they're always been musical and... [+] Read More

Yes No

German thrash metal band made up of Angel Ripper (bass/vocals), Aggressor (guitar/vocals), and Witchhunter (drums). They were heavily influenced by thrash/speed metal bands like Motorhead, Venom, and Mercyful Fate, exploring the darkest subject matter possible. Aggressor quit the group before their first full-length album was released and was... [+] Read More

Yes No