What is the best band in heavy metal?

From the bone-crushing pioneers who forged the genre to the technically ferocious outfits that pushed it into uncharted territory, this list spans every shade of heavy metal glory. Cast your vote for the band that defined the sound for you.

Black Sabbath

English heavy metal band from Birmingham formed in 1968, widely considered the originators of heavy metal with their downtuned riffs and dark imagery.

1/19

Metallica

American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1981, rising from thrash metal pioneers to global rock icons with albums like Master of Puppets and The Black Album.

2/19

Iron Maiden

English heavy metal band from London formed in 1975, leaders of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal known for twin guitar harmonies and mascot Eddie.

3/19

Judas Priest

English heavy metal band from Birmingham formed in 1969, helping define the genre with twin guitars, leather-and-studs aesthetic, and albums like Screaming for Vengeance.

4/19

Motörhead

English rock band formed by Lemmy Kilmister in 1975, blending heavy metal, punk, and rock and roll at breakneck speeds on classics like Ace of Spades.

5/19

Slayer

American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California formed in 1981, pushing the genre to extremes of speed and aggression on albums like Reign in Blood.

6/19

Megadeth

American thrash metal band formed by Dave Mustaine in 1983, delivering technically complex and politically charged metal on albums like Peace Sells and Countdown to Extinction.

7/19

Pantera

American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas who pioneered groove metal with their aggressive sound and landmark albums like Vulgar Display of Power and Cowboys from Hell.

8/19

Anthrax

American thrash metal band from New York City formed in 1981, one of the Big Four of thrash metal known for albums like Among the Living and Persistence of Time.

9/19

Dio

American heavy metal band fronted by the legendary Ronnie James Dio, known for fantasy-themed metal anthems and Dio's operatic vocals on albums like Holy Diver.

10/19

Ozzy Osbourne

British heavy metal act led by the Prince of Darkness, whose solo work including Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman cemented his status as a metal icon.

11/19

Queensrÿche

American progressive heavy metal band from Bellevue, Washington formed in 1980, known for complex concept albums like Operation: Mindcrime and Empire.

12/19

Accept

German heavy metal band formed in 1976, key contributors to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal sound with anthems like Balls to the Wall and Restless and Wild.

13/19

Saxon

English heavy metal band from Barnsley formed in 1976, stalwarts of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal known for albums like Wheels of Steel and Strong Arm of the Law.

14/19

Venom

English extreme metal band from Newcastle formed in 1978, whose raw blackened sound and satanic imagery on Welcome to Hell and Black Metal spawned entire metal subgenres.

15/19

W.A.S.P.

American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1982, known for their shocking theatrical live shows and anthemic metal on albums like The Headless Children.

16/19

Mercyful Fate

Danish heavy metal band formed by vocalist King Diamond in 1981, pioneers of the occult and theatrical side of metal on classic albums like Melissa and Don't Break the Oath.

17/19

Rainbow

Deep Purple offshoot formed by Ritchie Blackmore in 1975, featuring Ronnie James Dio and bridging hard rock and heavy metal on milestone albums like Rising and Long Live Rock 'n' Roll.

18/19

Testament

American thrash metal band from Oakland, California formed in 1983, delivering technically precise and ferocious metal on albums like The New Order and The Legacy.

19/19