List of heavy metal bands

This is a list of heavy metal artists 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
Ángeles 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.
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
Barón Rojo Spain 1980–present
Battleaxe United Kingdom 1980–1988, 2010–present
Bengal Tigers Australia 1979–present
Beowülf 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 Öyster 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

Name Origin Years active Brief summary
Cactus[20] United States 1969–1972, 2006–present
Captain Beyond United States 1971-1973, 1976-1978, 1998-2003
Chateaux United Kingdom 1981-1985
Cirith Ungol United States 1972–1992, 1996–2001, 2015–present
Cloven Hoof United Kingdom 1979–1990, 2000–present
Coven United States 1968–1975, 2007–2008
Crimson Glory United States 1979–1992, 1998–present
Crushed Butler United Kingdom 1969-1971

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

Name Origin Years active Brief summary
Earthshaker Japan 1978-1994, 1999–present
Easy Action Sweden 1981–1986, 2006–present
E.F. Band Sweden 1978-1986
Electric Sun Germany 1978-1986
Elf United States 1967-1975 Ronnie James Dio on vocals.
Ethel the Frog United Kingdom 1976-1980
Europe Sweden 1979–1992, 1999 (partial reunion), 2003–present The band began as a heavy metal outfit.
Exciter Canada 1978–present
Exodus United States 1979–1993, 1997–1998, 2001–present

F

Name Origin Years active Brief summary
Faith No More United States 1979–1998, 2009–present
Fallout United States 1979-1982
Fist United Kingdom 1978-1982, 2001–2006
Flotsam and Jetsam United States 1981–present
Flower Travellin' Band[22] Japan 1967–1973, 2007–present
The Flying Hat Band United Kingdom 1971–1974 Glenn Tipton on vocals and guitar, later joined Judas Priest in 1974.

G

Name Origin Years active Brief summary
Gamma United States 1978–1983, 2000
Geordie United Kingdom 1972–1980, 1982–1985, 2001 Singer Brian Johnson went on to join AC/DC in 1980, after the death of Bon Scott.
Gillan United Kingdom 1978–1983
Girl United Kingdom 1979-1982
Girlschool United Kingdom 1978–present All-female band formed during the new wave of British heavy metal.
Gordi Serbia 1977–1984
Grand Funk Railroad[23][24][25] United States 1968–1977, 1980–1983, 1996–present
Grave Digger Germany 1980–1987, 1991–present
Gravestone Germany 1977-1986
Great White United States 1977–2001, 2002–present
Grim Reaper United Kingdom 1979–1988, 2006–present
The Gun United Kingdom 1967-1970

H

Name Origin Years active Brief summary
Sammy Hagar United States 1967–present
The Handsome Beasts United Kingdom 1972–present
Hanoi Rocks Finland 1979–1985, 2001–2009
Hard Stuff United Kingdom 1971–1973
Hawkwind United Kingdom 1969–present
Headpins Canada 1979–present
Heaven Australia 1980–2000
Heavy Load Sweden 1976–1985
Heavy Metal Kids United Kingdom 1972-1985, 2002–present Initially featured actor Gary Holton on vocals.
Helix Canada 1974–present
High Tide United Kingdom 1969–1970
Hollow Ground United Kingdom 1979-1982, 2007, 2013
Holocaust United Kingdom 1977–present
Holy Moses Germany 1980–1994, 2000–present

I

Name Origin Years active Brief summary
Icon United States 1979-1990, 2008–present
Iron Butterfly[22] United States 1966–present Second guitarist Erik Braunn died in 2003 of a heart attack. Original bassist Lee Dorman died on 21 December 2012.
Iron Claw United Kingdom 1969-1974, 1993, 2010–present
Iron Maiden United Kingdom 1975–present Iron Maiden achieved success during the early 1980s. After several line-up changes, the band went on to release a series of U.S. and UK platinum and gold albums, including 1982's The Number of the Beast, 1983's Piece of Mind, 1984's Powerslave, 1985's live release Live After Death, 1986's Somewhere in Time and 1988's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.

J

Name Origin Years active Brief summary
Jag Panzer United States 1981–1988, 1994–2011
Jaguar United Kingdom 1979–1985, 1998–present
Jameson Raid United Kingdom 1975–1983, 2008–present
Jerusalem United Kingdom 1972–presentProduced and managed by Ian Gillan of Deep Purple. Early creators of Metal, Doom and Stoner rock. Remastered vinyl and CD versions of original Decca, Deram and Universal releases have been reissued by Rockadrome Records.
Josefus United States 1969–2005
JPT Scare Band United States 1973–present
Judas Priest United Kingdom 1969–present

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

Name Origin Years active Brief summary
Leaf Hound United Kingdom 1969-1971, 2004–present
Leatherwolf United States 1981–present
Led Zeppelin[26] United Kingdom 1968–1980, 2007, 2011
Legs Diamond United States 1975–present
Leño Spain 1978-1983
Leviticus Sweden 1981–1990
Lionheart United Kingdom 1980-1986
Living Death Germany 1980-1991
London United States 1978–1981, 1984–1990, 2006–present Early lineups featured future members of Mötley Crüe, Guns N' Roses, W.A.S.P. and Cinderella.[27]
Lone Star United Kingdom 1975–1978
Los Suaves Spain 1980–present
Loudness Japan 1980–present
Lucifer's Friend[28] Germany 1970–1982, 1993–1997, 2014–present

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
Mötley Crüe United States 1981–2015
Motörhead 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

Name Origin Years active Brief summary
Napalm Death United Kingdom 1981–present
Nazareth United Kingdom 1968–present
Necromandus[22][30] United Kingdom 1970–1973
The Next Band United Kingdom 1978-1982
Nightmare France 1979–1987, 1999–present
Night Sun[31] Germany 1970–1973
Nightwing United Kingdom 1978–1987, 1996–present
Ted Nugent[32][33] United States 1975–present

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

Name Origin Years active Brief summary
Pagan Altar United Kingdom 1978–1982, 2004–present
Pantera United States 1981-2003
Pentagram United States 1971–1976, 1978–1979, 1981–present
Persian Risk United Kingdom 1979–1986
Picture Netherlands 1979–1987, 1997–1999, 2007–present
Pink Fairies United Kingdom 1970-1976, 1987-1988
Praying Mantis United Kingdom 1974–present
Pretty Maids Denmark 1981–present
Primevil United States 1973-1974

Q

Name Origin Years active Brief summary
Quartz United Kingdom 1974-1983, 1996, 2011
Queensrÿche[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 Mašina 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
Sortilège 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

  1. ↑ Weinstein, Deena. Heavy Metal: The Music and its Culture. DaCapo, 2000. ISBN 0-306-80970-2, pg. 14.
  2. ↑ Christe, Ian (2004). Sound of the Beast. Allison & Busby. p. 1. ISBN 0-7490-8351-4.
  3. ↑ http://80music.about.com/od/80smusic12/tp/1981moments.htm 1981 Snapshots in Music from About.com Web Guide
  4. ↑ http://www.kerrang.com/wheretostartwith/artists/metallica Profile of Metallica at www.kerrang.com
  5. ↑ http://www.answers.com/topic/slayer-1 Profile of Slayer at Answers.com
  6. ↑ http://www.answers.com/topic/anthrax-artist Profile of Anthrax at Answers.com
  7. ↑ http://www.lyricsfreak.com/m/megadeth/back+in+the+day_10177974.html "The world of metal changed forever..." - autiobiographical Megadeth lyrics at LyricsFreak website
  8. ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Accept biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  9. 1 2 Walser, Robert (1999). Running with The Devil. Wesleyan University Press. pp. s. 11, 16, 78. ISBN 0-8195-6260-2.
  10. ↑ Walser, Robert (1999). Running with The Devil. Wesleyan University Press. pp. s. 8, 13. ISBN 0-8195-6260-2.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Bang biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  13. ↑ Ruhlmann, William. "Black Sabbath biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  14. ↑ Ruhlmann, William. "Blue Cheer biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  15. ↑ Ruhlmann, William. "Blue Oyster Cult biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  16. ↑ "BOWWOW Frontman Kyoji Yamamoto". bravewords.com. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
  17. ↑ Prato, Greg. "Budgie biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  18. ↑ Bealmear, Bart. "Dead Forever... review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  19. ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Volcanic Rock review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  20. ↑ Planer, Lindsay. "One Way... or Another review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  21. ↑ http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=48603 British Steel Festival 2006 details at Roadrunner Records' website, 20 February 2006
  22. 1 2 3 4 Sleazegrinder (March 2007). "The Lost Pioneers of Heavy Metal". Classic Rock.
  23. ↑ Rolling Stone
  24. ↑ Rock Eras by James M. Curtis
  25. ↑ Saga of Rock Still Rolling, Toledo Blade, 1979
  26. ↑ Christe, Ian (2004). Sound of the Beast. Allison & Busby. p. 12. ISBN 0-7490-8351-4.
  27. ↑ http://www.musicmight.com/artist/united+states/california/los+angeles/london Biography of the band London at MusicMight.com, 2009
  28. ↑ "AMG bio of Lucifer's Friend". Retrieved 2007-10-15.
  29. ↑ Ingham, Chris (2002). The Book of Metal. Thunder's Mouth Press. p. 204. ISBN 978-1-56025-419-5.
  30. ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Necromandus biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
  31. ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Mournin review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
  32. ↑ Roberts, Roxanne & Argetsinger, Amy. "Ted Nugent: Long past his 'rock star' days, how he caused a political firestorm". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2014-05-01.
  33. ↑ Rolling Stone magazine. "Ted Nugent biography". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 2014-05-01.
  34. ↑ allmusic ((( Queensryche > Overview )))
  35. ↑ Christe, Ian (2004). Sound of the Beast. Allison & Busby. p. 13. ISBN 0-7490-8351-4.
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