You left out Judas Priest on purpose to see how many comments you'd get about it, you scamp. I saw that twinkle in your eye when you jumped from Sabbath to Maiden. ;)
Judas Priest should be on this list. Halford invented the front man, Priest led the dual lead guitar attack, invented Speed Metal on Stained Class. Slayer should be inbetween Death and Metallica
Internal bleeding invented slam as a genre. Suffocation invented sort of the slam riff. Also damonacy from that era played something similar to slam. But suffocation did invent the blast beat as we know it. So they deserve a spot@piusaditya5206
Suffocation themselves in terms of brutal death metal. Hell, they didn’t technically INVENT the slam riff, there were some other bands who did it before Suffocation, though they were the band who wanted to make everyone and their mother use it after they heard it. However, they did invent brutal death metal as a whole. As for slam itself, that goes to Internal Bleeding for inventing it, and then later on, Devourment for making everyone want to do it (Jimmy From The Block has a decent vid about the slam riff)
The list was mostly fine, but Judas Priest deserved to be included. Their music in the 70’s was so ahead of its time, and they inspired a lot of sub genres such as Thrash, Speed and even Power Metal to an extent. I’d also add Accept to this sort of list, they’re maybe not as popular as Priest or Maiden, but they had such a unique sound, and they were one of the first Speed Metal bands.
I'd argue korn instead of slipknot, they really set the stage for nu-metal way before anyone else in 94, only closely followed by deftones, who drifted into other genres very quickly.
@@bengreenbank this, Korn is for the die hard Nu metal fans meanwhile Slipknot is enjoyed by a wider range of metal fans, because their music is far more heavier than Korn, Deftones or any other Alternative Metal band from the 90s. I met so many kids who got into Death, Thrash and Black Metal thanks to Slipknot.
KOЯN literally invented the hole genre of nu metal. I love early Slipknot stuff(first 4 albums), but I’d mention KORN as the most influential Nu metal band
@@jeffreyhanc1711 I was going to say to be fair it might never have happened if not for that, both the lightest strings he could find and still had to downtune. I don't think it was even Tony trying to be innovative, innovative as the band still was that might have been entirely a happy accident. They also mentioned a reason they played progressively louder adding to their sound was to drown out people talking and not paying attention.
I find the lack of Judas Priest in this list disturbing... Black Sabbath laid the foundations for Metal, Priest took it to the next level with the speed, more heaviness, the on-stage look, the high pitched vocals and then Maiden came along and arguably perfected the entire package. Iron Maiden are my favourite band (Although I love Judas Priest almost as much) however, it should be a crime to understate Judas Priest's influence on Metal! I'd also maybe include Slayer in your list too, would Death Metal even be a thing if Slayer never existed? Okay I'm done being a nitpicking arsehole now! Still enjoyed the video, Bradley! 😂
Their full coverage of all things metal in their catelogue is more than enough to crown them as Kings. Listen to British Steel then Defenders.. They are totally different from eachother, just as Turbo is from Stained Class. Halfords iconic voice aside, it sounds like two different bands. They always evolved their sound and matched whatever was happening at the time whilst making it 'theirs". Ive always thought too, that Beyond the Realms of Death sounded like a precursor , top influence on Metallica's "Fade to Black".
Zeppelin paved the way, Sabbath just joined soon after and were wrongly given the credit. Sabbath is amazing but Sabbath wouldn't have happened without Zeppelin pushing how heavy rock could actually be.
@@getshwiftygaming447 I'm a big fan of both Sabbath and Zeppelin (and Deep Purple as well). I highly disagree with you. Sabbath's sound is completely different, and to this day, their early albums sound just as Metal as if they had been released today.
@@HeathenDance their sounds are very similar, both rooted in the blues and variated between standard and drop tunings while never being afraid to play with odd tunings and being experimental. Tony Iommi even credited Jimmy page for inspiring the main riff for paranoid(this can be found in the insert for the deluxe edition of the most recent remaster circulation). Both were getting their early sound using guitars that were equipped with single coil pickups, many of the same amps and using celestion greenback speakers in the cabs. My favorite bands growing up were zeppelin and some of the bands/musicians who have sighted them as an influence sabbath, Saxon, priest, maiden and many more.
@@getshwiftygaming447 I'm not denying Zeppelin's influence, in a FEW of their songs, but they still don't sound Metal. Regarding distortion, dark sonority, tempo, etc. Classical Music, for example, is a massive influence when it comes to Metal. Both riffs and solos, depending on the composers. And you can't say that Bach, Liszt or Chopin were playing Heavy Metal. Regardless how appealing the concept is.
I think he just did the most important of each age without any contemporary ones. Judas being sabbath’s and slayer being Metallica’s. Megadeth not being there for the same reason through they could be.
Not including Judas Priest should be a crime. Judas Priest are literally the blueprint of Metal more so than Black Sabbath who did far more to influence Doom and Stoner music than all of Metal overall. Priest invented the dual guitar attack that most Metal band use today. The screaming fast guitar solos and louder than hell sound and vocals all contibute to Judas Priest. It was the dual guitar attack that influenced Slayers sound. Judas Priest are literally the quintessential Metal band. Period.
And one listen to Invincible Shield confirms that at 72, Halford is the Eternal Metal God. My God , "The Serpent and the King" is an incredible song! Priest's last two albums are absolute brilliance and have more immediate fire and attack than anything Maiden have done in a while.
@@MetalPersonJ there’s also a clear contrast between what Sabbath did and things Maiden did, bridged by Priest. The most obvious being the inclusion of a double lead guitar arrangement. Sabbath never had two guitarists, and it’s become such a staple in metal.
Priest did so much for early metal that they never get the appreciation for. Twin guitar leads/harmonies Double bass drumming* Speed metal (1977) The heavy metal look Yes sabbath stumbled upon playing heavy but if you ask me the first band that could be classed as ‘heavy metal’ priest is the one. Practically every 80’s band owes it to them. *they weren’t the first but the first band to use multiple instances of in during an album, sin after sin at least 5 of the 8 songs have fast double bass passages
@@davesiddons8921 Absolutely. And I'll say something more. People tend to "overrate" Sabbath when it comes to the birth of heavy metal and its subgenres, actually making other band's achievements pretty much invisible.
@@MGdelOesteagree 100%. Early sabbath is fantastic, groundbreaking etc but it’s hardly the definition of heavy metal, it’s metal alright but it’s not Heavy metal. Stuff like Dissent Agresssor is still heavy by today’s standards, just the production lets it down.
@@Vivi_9they are recording Brave new wolrd until today Brave new wolrd and Book of souls are the best albums for me from that period but senjutsu is just a lazy album its the worst maiden album for me and listening to it, i just had enough of this “Brave new wolrd fase“
ok, maybe if we agree on their lack of pop culture impact , we can ignore Venom. But tell me if Motorhead isn't one of the few bands ever to both create a new style for others to copy stretching among many genres, while at the same time being one of the most recognized artists in the world while still keeping trve
But they were their own thing, didn’t really start a movement, they called themselves a rock and roll band, and didn’t really belong to metal. They were just an insanely heavy rock and roll band😂
For real motorhead influenced everyone from Lars to euronymous be influenced a lot of metal fashion and he was the embodiment of a true rockstar motorhead not being on this list is a crime
Motörhead being among the most recognized artists in the world is a stretch. All credit where it's due, they're a legendary band in the metal community, but they aren't exactly a mainstream band in a sense which Metallica and Iron Maiden are, and Iron Maiden even push it a little bit. Mentioning them to non-metalheads often has mixed reactions of awareness. If you ask an old-time metaller, a thrash metaller, maybe a punk, definitely WWE fans, someone who has watched Airheads, about Motörhead, they'll know everything. It isn't like that outside of these spheres. They're mostly known for Ace of Spades, Killed By Death, Overkill, The Game, Line in the Sand, and King of Kings. Other than them, most people will have no clue who they are.
I love the fact that no mattter if youre into Thrash Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Black Metal, or even Punk, everyone can agree that Black Sabbath was a band.
Imo Judas Priest should be on this list. I mean they had soooo much influence on metal. They pretty much invented speed metal with Exciter and Call for the priest, inspired alot of bands today to play metal, Rob basicaly defined the voice of metal and they defined the look of metal with lether clothes and spikes. You could also make an argument for them being the first metal band. I would say that they are much more important to metal than Dream Theater, BMTH and At the Gates. I also think Venom should on this list. They basicaly started doing extreme metal and I can't imagine what would bands like Metallica, Slayer and Mayhem sound like without them.
Shocked that Judas Priest aren't on there. I mean, Rob Halford's vocals pretty much inspired all power metal and Glen and KKs shredding inspired speed metal and many thousands of aspiring guitarists. The imagery which cemented the whole motor bikes, leather and chains sort of look. Love it or hate it, has been a huge influence on the imagery of metal ever since. I mean, they just embody metal so bloody well. And their enduring appeal. Who would have thought, they would still be writing popular albums such as Firepower and Invincible Shield in 2024, 55 years after they started. And in those 55 years, they just about influenced everyone. Also, just for pure legendary status as well, Lemmy and Motorhead surely should be on this list. I know that Lemmy himself as well as many others would argue that Motorhead aren't metal, but they embodied everything about metal and as such, their influence on metal is undeniable.
@@TheSonics11 I'd say At The Gates deserve a spot. They helped pioneer Melodeath in Gothenburg alongside In Flames, but unlike In Flames, you can see a lot of At the Gates' influence on a lot of the 2000s Metalcore bands. At the Gate is an influential band. No problem with them being on the list, well either then or In Flames. No priest though is a crime
2 things: 1: thank you for the genuine LOL moment that was "Sountrack to falling down the stairs" . I hope DT see that and make it their next album title. Brilliant!! 2: No other band in the history of Heavy Metal has ever embraced the genre as much as Judas Priest. When others were distancing themselves from the label, Halford was out there with no shame, proud to called metal. The whole band are legends, but Rob Halford is the undisputed king of Metal. It's criminal that they're not on your list.
Yeah, the Red album and most precisely Starless is basically Type O Negative if they were into weed and psychedelia and not into Whiskey and Red Wine 😂😂😂
IKR??!? Like already mentioned Red, but if we stay on In the Court, 21st Century Schizoid Man is really heavy, Larks Tongues in Aspic part 1 has some heavy shit, and part 2 is heavier than a lot of metal albums.
@@uvarighalvarado8677 in a sense, I actually think King Crimson has a more metal mood, a certain refined raw energy, than Dream Theater, which is a prog-metal evolution of AOR a-la Toto
I follow Bradley's channel because he is funny. But most of his opinions are hard to take serious. Including Meshuggah on this list as "IMPORTANT AND INFLUENTIAL" genuinely made me laugh. Which is why I'm here!
Huh, I expected Opeth to show up, they are not the most popular/influential but I think so many bands inspire themselves from their sound and they really brought absolutely new stuff to the table.
Im sorry man, but L take for not mentioning Judas Priest's 70s material!!!! Lets list the facts: - they were the first metal band with gavs the archetype of a metal singer (not bruce, def rob halford) - they were the first metal band with two lead guitarists (downing and tipton) - they were the first metal band to play speed metal - they were the first metal band to play prog (listen to the S trilogy if you dont believe me) - they were the first metal band to commercialize the sound (hell bent for leather and british steel) Not to mention, you said the criteria in the beginning was a metal band has to be influential and culturally impactful. Priest were the big 4 of thrash's biggest influence. Not to mention the leather they wore since hell bent for leather created the look for metal in the 80s.
You could argue most of those things yeah but in that domain of traditional Metal, Iron Maiden had faaaar more commercial success and their influence is much greater-reaching than Priest's was. Priest are a sick band don't get me wrong but they never reached anywhere near the success that Maiden did
@BradleyHallGuitar if you're talking about the current era, you're right. Maiden are more popular with everyone wearing their t shirts and their concerts selling wide. However, in the 80s, priest were significantly bigger. They were in commercials, their albums were always played on the radio (never maiden), and their concerts were huge. Not to mention the 80s look for metal was leather, and that's entirely due to judas priest. Anyway, hopefully I'm not coming off as a dick. This is just my viewpoint
@@BradleyHallGuitarI would dispute the “influence” part. Early thrash like Megadeth and Slayer has much more Priest than Maiden in it and thrash was the gateway to death and other extreme subgenres.
You can hear their influence on Maiden in those early records aswell. Sinner and The Ripper have instrumental sections that, absolutely influenced Maiden harmonies and lead riff playing. The whole NWOBHM itselt owes a ton to the Priest. I love Priest's diverse set of songs. They have something for everyone. When hearing Killing Machine and Painkiller, youd be forgiven thinking they are separate bands, they are very diverse. Maiden, as good as they are- theyve got that sound that, you always know its them. I mean that as a good thing.👍
@@BradleyHallGuitar Hmmm not sure about Maiden having greater-reaching influence. The thing is, back in the late 70s and early 80s, when metal main subgenres were being first developed, Priest influence was bigger, they were seen as the quintaessential metal band.
Excellent list! If we were to expand on this to other most influential bands I'd argue to include Judas Priest, Slayer, Nightwish, Eluveitie, Evanescence, and Opeth. One could make an argument for Linkin Park as well as their influence exceeds even metal.
Nightwish might deserve a spot with the whole symphonic metal stuff they brought around, however the others I really don't see. Eluveitie is just one of the children of Bathory, nothing groundbreaking (I do love them tho), Evanescence was very popular but again they haven't invented anything. Opeth is great but kinda falls into the same category as Dream Theater and DT is just way more influential. (Cant stand DT and love Opeth, but this is the truth)
@@golgotai2938 I would argue that Therion is as important as Nightwish for symphonic metal. They were years ahead. (Started in 1987 while Nightwish came 1996) Nightwish are bigger, so for this list it might be them though since popularity seems to weigh in heavily.
I would add: Judas Priest (they created the traditional metal sound - twin guitars, high pitched male singing etc.), Sepultura (everything up to and including Roots has been influential on heavy metal), Stratovarius (Visions is the blueprint for all power metal that came after it), Candlemass (their debut is the foundation of doom metal), Therion founded symphonic metal and Nightwish mainstreamed it. Ministry pioneered industrial metal. DragonForce brought guitar virtuosity to an entire generation - playing Through the Fire and Flames is every RUclips guitarists rite of passage.
Thanks for this complementary list, I would argue Ministry is the biggest omission, as without them we wouldn't have NIN, Fear Factory, Rammstein etc. possibly not even Meshuggah and nü (or at least not as we know them!)
Their first five albums are very good for different reasons from each other. After them, members are gone, their energy has come down, and writing has become very stale.
They're one of the only bands where I think the hit songs were actually the best ones, I've tried listening to albums in full and it just gets very repetitive after a while. If I want some good heavy Nu Metal I'll put on L.D 50 by Mudvayne, that album has so much variety, great song writing, great playing and the musicianship is insane especially with the bass.
A fad that hasn't faded is something that is part of culture. Like it or not. Taylor Swift is going to be huge for ever at this rate, you may hate it, but that equates to a lasting cultural influence even If you're not a fan
They were influential alright in the ruination of metal as I knew it. They ruined Sepultura and disgusted those of us who love guitar solos and musicality in metal and not just chugging away on the low strings all the time.
My list would be like this: Black Sabbath Judas Priest Iron Maiden Metallica Helloween Death Pantera Dream Theater Emperor Rammstein In Flames Nightwish
I might piss someone, but neither Death, or Mayhem where nearly as influential, let alone as big as Judas Priest. If Aliens come and ask "Yo´what is Metal" you preent them Judas Priest
I agree that Dream Theater are the most influential prog metal band ever, but let's not forget that Fates Warning pretty much nailed the sound DT were going for on their Perfect Symmetry album in 1989. FW definitely deserve credit for truly pioneering the genre
That is something he said hes also said its metal most metal heads agree Motorhead is metal. In an interview Ozzy used to atribute the creation of metal to Lemmy and vise versa. Motorheads obvious influence in the early NWOBHM was also huge.@@user-kn1uj2tp6r
I would definitely add Opeth as the pioneers of whatever sound they play. Its like progressive death metal but also kinda doom metal but also kind folk metal but also kinda melodeath. The amount of Opeth copycats that arose from sweden and the Netherlands in the early 2'000s is insane and some of them are still going strong today.
@@jasonshyer5419 I'm not sure Van Halen is metal (although I wouldn't argue the point) , but bands like Motley Crue and Ratt are. Denying that sounds like "No True Scotsman" since they were in fact called glam or hair metal at the time.
The 10 most important metal bands are, in no particular order: - Black Sabbath - Death - Dream Theater - Iron Maiden - Judas Priest - Mayhem - Metallica - Opeth - Pantera - Tool
11 - Fear Factory. The progenitors of Industrial Metal. They've set the standard for mechanically precise palm-muted riffing and double bass patterns for a whole generation of bands to come. 12 - Neurosis. The entire Post Metal genre wouldn't exist if it wasn't for their 90's albums.
Fear Factory definitely added a fresh sound to industrial metal, adding in the groove metal elements, and Burton Bell pioneering the sort of clean/growl vocal dichotomy that so many metal singers ape to this day. And it helps having Rhys Fulber handling your synth/sequencing/sampling duties. But they were far from the progenitors of industrial metal; Ministry, KMFDM, My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult all predated them.
Demanufacture was a turning point for sure, nothing before it had such precise mechanical riffs coupled with the syncopated drums. And the clean and harsh vocal combination. One of the best albums ever made imo
@@alexgrunde6682I would add the UK band Pitchshifter to your list of original Industrial metal bands; who are better than FF in my opinion. Underrated and better than all you mentioned (with the possible exception of Ministry)...
Many might disagree but Sepultura totally deserved to be on the list. They are one of the few bands that managed to be influential in multiple genres: Thrash, Death, Groove and even Nu Metal.
Great list, hard to argue against any of those picks, altough I think Judas Priest should have a spot on anybody's list. When I saw you didn't insert them after Sabbath, I thought they were going to be the last band as they are the quintessential metal band. Anyway, here's my take on this impossible task Black Sabbath Judas Priest Motorhead Iron Maiden Anything Dio (Rainbow, Heaven and Hell, Dio) Metallica Slayer Death Mayhem Pantera Slipknot Avenged Sevenfold (Don't really listen to them, but I think they deserve a spot to represent the 21st Century)
Hehehe they're always labelled nu-metal, true theres a dj and a bit of fast lyrical 'rap' but slipknot was way more extreme than any of their contemporaries. People =Shit opens with blast beats 😂 it is a pop death metal album
The only band that is probably even more influential than Sabbath and Maiden is Judas Priest. I always get chills when i hear Victim of Changes unleashed in the east version. Maiden , Priest and Sabbath are three top of the top Metal bands.
Because there is alot of new band playing old school heavy metal and sounding alot like Judas Priest, I would put Judas Priest on the list. not only they were a big influence in the 80's and 90's, but they still are! Also, honorable mentions: Korn: still influencial, but alot less then in the early 20's, Rammstein: by far the biggest industrial metal band and I think they surpass Metallica in selling concert tickets now. Motorhead: Legends, but maybe a bit less influencial. They push everyone to play faster though. I think the way they played in shows actually have an influence on grunge. Good list!
Dude, I love Maiden, but overall, Priest are way more influential. They changed everything, not in terms of just the music, but also the look and the attitude. British steel is the first fully Metal album in my view and Screaming for Vengeance perfected a lot of tropes we now hear in metal still
I’d argue the 6 most important Metal bands of all time are in order by date 1. *Sabbath:* Do I even need to explain they invented the genre and revolutionized the sound of heavy music, they’re influence is simply undeniable 2. *Judas Priest:* They’re combination of the heaviness of metal with the speed and energy of punk rock would give birth to the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal 3. *Venom:* The birth of extreme metal, this band was vitally important for the development of Thrash, Black, Death, their descendants, and all other genres of extreme metal. 4. *Metallica:* Arguably the most popular metal band of all time Metallica and its influence on the development of metal cannot be understated, from birthing Thrash, to popularizing extreme metal, and influencing countless bands from Slayer, to Pantera. 5. *Melvins:* Whilst Metal had been progressively getting faster and more aggressive from Heavy Metal, through the NWOBHM to Thrash, within the underground a form of Traditional Heavy Metal survived progressively becoming slower and darker evolving into Doom Metal. This eventually culminated with Melvins who combined it with the aggression of hardcore punk, giving birth to Sludge Metal. In turn the influence of Melvins came to define the sound of not just metal, but nearly all music in the 90’s. From completely changing the sound of the New Orleans Metal Scene and in turn inspiring Pantera to take thrash and give it a slower, groovier, and heavier; to inspiring a new wave of metal around the Pacific Northwest that combined Sludge with the traditional heavy metal of Sabbath and Alternative Rock, not only birthing Alternative Metal with bands such as Alice In Chains, HELMET, TOOL, and Soundgarden. But as well influencing the Seattle scene as a whole and most importantly Nirvana who would go on to completely change music forever. 6. *KoЯn.* Whilst Groove and Alternative Metal came to dominate the metal scene of the early 90’s, at the same time, inspired by Metallica, Funk Rock became increasingly heavier with bands such as Faith No More, Primus, & Rage Against The Machine, evolving into Funk Metal. This culminated in 1994 when the Sludgy, Dark, Downtuned sound of Alternative Metal, was combined with the Heaviness and Groove of Groove Metal, the Funkiness and Energy of Funk Metal, and was combined with unconventional Hip-Hop style production, completely changing the sound of Metal forever.
How is no one talking about the exclusion of MOTÖRHEAD here, they invented double bass pedal drums and speed metal which led to thrash and power metal. They were literally the loudest band of all time. Without them the heaviest it gets is Judas Priest. And IMO Judas Priest probably should’ve had Iron Maiden’s spot, Iron Maiden in 1980 was essentially a punk band and priest was already doing everything mentioned about maiden
I'm actually a bit disappointed to see Mayhem as "most influential" for black metal... i really would opt for Bathory instead, since Mayhem was heavily influenced by Bathory and latter mentioned created the blueprint for scandinavian black metal, which is what Mayhem plays. Hence Bathory deserves this title more than Mayhem, imho.
Leaving Judas Priest off this list is criminal. You don't get to literally every other post Sabbath band on this list without Judas Priest. Just because they had literal Spinal Tap incompetent management and never got as big as Iron Maiden doesn't mean they should be considered less important. They stripped whatever blues Black Sabbath had and gave us the literal sound and LOOK of heavy metal. Also, Mayhem is NOT more important than Bathory. For two reasons: 1) Bathory invented so many more black metal aesthetics that are still used today (one man bedroom project, never playing live, mystery), 2) Bathory have more classic albums. Shit, Mayhem only have one album people talk about. Also also 8:15 LOLOLOLOL fuck Court of the Crimson King. (real men love Red) Also also also, honestly aside from the costumes, everything Slipknot did, Meshuggah did better (and earlier).
I did think about putting Priest on, but when I really think about it they were very influential for a certain amount of time but that wide-reaching influence didn't really last. Maiden took what Priest did but really refined it and brought it to a bigger audience. Unfortunately Priest just kinda remained a cult band. Perhaps I should've given them more of a nod in the video though! And yeah Bathory are important too but Black Metal would 100% not have become what we know it as today without Mayhem, they had infinitely more cultural importance than Bathory. Like I mentioned in the video, Mayhem transcended just being a band and become more of a phenomenon. ...and yes, Red is a sick album!
@@BradleyHallGuitar Don't know too many cult bands that still play arenas worldwide, including the US. and by that logic no one's influence "really lasts," including Metallica. There's no doubt that Iron Maiden became the bigger band, but in terms of fame Judas Priest and Iron Maiden were neck and neck in the 80s. Hell, Priest have a certified double platinum album in the states, Maiden don't. Addendum: Using that logic, Cannibal Corpse's influence has outlasted Death's influence. As for the crime element of Mayhem, you're forgetting that a big perpetrator of those crimes and antisocial elements that was temporarily a Mayhem member is actually the main member of Burzum. So you might as well say that black metal wouldn't become etc. etc. if not for Burzum.
@@BradleyHallGuitara cult band? they played the Power Trip festival last year with Guns n Roses, Metallica, Iron Maiden, ACDC and Tool, and they usually headline big festivals, or make arena tours. They are not huge like Metallica and Iron Maiden, but they're still a big band, and they were very big in the US for a decade in the 80s. All those albums starting with Sin After Sin, and likely Sad Wings but Gull were too cheap to pay for a certification, ended up being gold, platinum or 2xplatinum, up to Painkiller. They are far from being a cult band. That aside, ignoring what Priest did from 1976 arguably up to 1984 for the evolution of heavy metal, also Painkiller, is nonsense imo.
@@BradleyHallGuitarI’ve seen you suggest this before and I don’t know how the metal spheres we’re living in are so different. I’ve heard JP covered at metal fests and bar shows from Los Angeles to Boston consistently over the last 10 years or so and it’s always a crowd pleaser, whether it’s 70s era or Screaming for Vengeance or Defenders or Painkiller. Was just at a big fest and at the after party bar, when the dj put on Painkiller, the entire bar of drunk metalheads was screaming along together-think “Sweet Caroline” at a bar in Boston on a Red Sox day. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced that with Maiden. Speed metallers, thrashers, traditional heavy metallers, power metallers, hell even my friend who prefers brutal death metal most of the time, fucking adores Priest. People love Priest. Maybe your circle missed the memo. Cult band??? Maybe if you think metal is cult? Which it is, tbh? (That’s why “kvlt” is a thing.) But anyway, their mainstream impact was huge. I remember as a kid when fucking Sum 41 rapped about them: “heavy metal and mullets, it’s how we were raised, Maiden, AND PRIEST, were the guys that we praised.” But is mainstream what we’re really talking about?? Thought this was about what’s been influential and is still beloved within the metal community. The amount of comments here going “hey wtf where’s Priest” (and the hundreds of likes on all of those) should tell you something about that.
@@zenoslime super based comment, morbid angel literally gave death metal a new sound, darkthrone is the best 2ndwave black metal band, and entombed is the greatest dm of all time
as much as i and a lot of people enjoy them, they were only ever really as popular as they were, in japan. we're talking about bands who left a mark on the entire world, not just one country. like dont get me wrong, i love japanese bands. sigh, boris, loudness, sex maching gun, effigy, x japan, etc. some of the heaviest shit ive ever heard came from the japanese punk and metal scenes. but as great and influential as they were, even theyll tell you they cant measure up to half the bands on or outside this list in terms of just how game changing and influential they were to the genre as a whole.
Respect to the list, I would’ve also included Napalm Death, simply because they were the ones who a lot of people trace back to being the band who INVENTED the blast beat (if my memory serves me correctly). Not only that, Grindcore wouldn’t even be a thing without them Korn would’ve also been good on the list, mainly because while Slipknot does have the influence of image, Korn were the guys who made nu Metal a thing to begin with
I think Sepultura should be included. Back in 80's when metal was becoming a scene here in northern Europe (in my perspective Finland especially) Sepultura was mentioned to be extreme rough. One of the pioneers for sure.
My personal list would be 1. Black Sabbath 2. Motorhead 3. Sleep 4. Possessed 5. Melvins 6. Celtic Frost 7. Metallica 8. Neurosis 9. Iron Maiden 10. King Diamond
Good list, but I might have added In Flames. Say what you will about their more recent material (Foregone was DOOOPPPPEEE though!) but their influence is undeniable.
I don't think the last 4 bands really deserve to be on this list. Judas Priest, Van Halen (most influential guitar player ever for metal) should definitely be on the list.
My List: Black Sabbath (Pretty much invented metal) Judas Priest (Twin lead guitars, high pitched vocals) Rainbow (Invented Power Metal with Dio at the helm) Venom (UNARGUABLY invented Black Metal) Metallica (Brought thrash to the masses) Death (I agree with you on this one) Rage Against the Machine (No RATM no Nu Metal) Carcass (A bunch of Scousers invented the Gothenburg sound) Nightwish (Was doing the Goth/Operatic thing before anyone) Linkin Park (Much more than Slipknot, LP brought Nu Metal to the masses) Killswitch Engage (Has a lot to answer for Metalcore) Babymetal (No one had ever heard anything like it when the arrived on the scene)
@@manogueto156 They literally have an album called Black Metal -_- Also listen to Don't Burn the Witch and then Born for Burning back to back and tell me Bathory didnt lift the subject matter and riff from Venom (I love Bathory too btw)
You always have to limit these lists at some point or you'll go on forever, but I would have rounded it out to a Sweet 16 list and added Megadeth, Judas Priest, Slayer, and Ozzy's Blizzard of Oz solo band featuring Randy Rhoades on guitar.
I would put judas priest in place of Iron Maiden. Much more consisten and they anticipated Maiden with their 70s albums. They also defined the whole heavy metal aesthetic basically.
I love Maiden but I don’t think they’re nearly as influential as Judas Priest. JP was around way longer and took what sabbath did and really defined metal
Half of the bands you mentioned here worship Priest and Motörhead as their main influences, and you put At The Gate, Slipknot and BMTH in the list as the most influential bands ever? 😂
My pick for the 10 most influential metal bands ever, before I see the video (more or less by chronological order). It's just something I came up quickly, didn't give it a lot of thought, but I'm curious to see how well it overlaps with Bradley's list. Black Sabbath Judas Priest Van Halen Metallica Slayer Venom Death Pantera Meshuggah Slipknot
OK I got Sabbath, Metallica, Death, Pantera, Slipknot, and Meshuggah (happy they're here). I'll consider half a point for Venom as they were mentioned, I hesitated between them and Bathory because of course black metal has to be taken into account, but Bradley went for Mayhem instead, I accept that (but still, half a point). If I had known it would total to 12 before writing my guesses, I may have added Killswitch Engage and... I don't know! Can't say Iron Maiden now that I've seen the video, and I considered them but went to Judas Priest anyway, so I'd be lying. Maybe Def Leppard or Motley Crue haha. Or maybe even Motorhead. Anyway I wouldn't have gotten more points. 6.5/10, I consider myself happy. Good video Bradley.
Glad to see Helloween acknowledged here. They began really with Kai Hansen on vocals as a speed metal band but made the leap to the Michael Kiske ‘Keeper’ albums which is the classic European power metal prototype.
I've never understood the "Helter Skelter was the first heavy metal song." But to me "I want you (She's So Heavy)" always had parts that felt very metal to me. The first few notes, for example. Or the part that starts at 01:55 of the song. And it gets even more epic at 04:35.
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You left out Judas Priest on purpose to see how many comments you'd get about it, you scamp. I saw that twinkle in your eye when you jumped from Sabbath to Maiden. ;)
Whenever distortion was invented. So the Beatles
I saw mayhem live with cannibal corpse with gorguts and others it was fucking amazing, this was last year..i agree what you say about mayhem
Venom better be on this list or you better oil up.
Not even a mention for Judas Priest? Oil up brad
Judas Priest should be on this list. Halford invented the front man, Priest led the dual lead guitar attack, invented Speed Metal on Stained Class. Slayer should be inbetween Death and Metallica
Robert Plant invented the Rockstar frontman.
They also were the first metal band to implement prog and the double bass pedal
@mybluguitar6051 Also the first metal band where the frontman loves to take it up the ass.
Judas Priest replacing At The Gates and I am content with the list
@@user-kn1uj2tp6r Elvis
Suffocation and Slam ( which sounds like an extreme version of Netflix and Chill)
More like dying fetus and slam?
@@piusaditya5206 Suffocation invented slam.
Internal bleeding invented slam as a genre. Suffocation invented sort of the slam riff. Also damonacy from that era played something similar to slam. But suffocation did invent the blast beat as we know it. So they deserve a spot@piusaditya5206
Suffocation themselves in terms of brutal death metal. Hell, they didn’t technically INVENT the slam riff, there were some other bands who did it before Suffocation, though they were the band who wanted to make everyone and their mother use it after they heard it. However, they did invent brutal death metal as a whole. As for slam itself, that goes to Internal Bleeding for inventing it, and then later on, Devourment for making everyone want to do it (Jimmy From The Block has a decent vid about the slam riff)
@@manogueto156 they pioneered the riff, not the genre.
The list was mostly fine, but Judas Priest deserved to be included. Their music in the 70’s was so ahead of its time, and they inspired a lot of sub genres such as Thrash, Speed and even Power Metal to an extent. I’d also add Accept to this sort of list, they’re maybe not as popular as Priest or Maiden, but they had such a unique sound, and they were one of the first Speed Metal bands.
But they sound horrible
@@jamesreece9502 go on, pretty curious on what you find horrible
Totally agree!!! Judas Priest rules, when we had David Ellefson on our show, we talked about the new priest record
Yes that was in the 70s but now we live in 2024 and they have no relevance today .
@@naturalianoss excuse me ? so black sabath neither right ? morothead neither right ? what stupidity is that ...
Number 1# most important Metal artist : Justin Bieber 🤟🏻
No it’s got to be imagine dragons
These two bands/ person wouldn't be here without the influence of Nickleback.
Nah that’s Maroon 5
That's a weird way to spell MGK.
TAYLOR SWIFT is a banger factory too... Lol 🔥👹🤟🏻
I'd argue korn instead of slipknot, they really set the stage for nu-metal way before anyone else in 94, only closely followed by deftones, who drifted into other genres very quickly.
@@TheDimitrios Death is here.
Korn is a terrible band, but they did invent the most awful of sub genres, I’ll give them that.
They definitely invented nu metal but they sound way more like a rock band and I'd argue Slipknot had a bigger impact on actual metal than Korn did.
Agree, except i put deftones pretty far behind since deftones only made it big after opening for korn on tour
@@bengreenbank this, Korn is for the die hard Nu metal fans meanwhile Slipknot is enjoyed by a wider range of metal fans, because their music is far more heavier than Korn, Deftones or any other Alternative Metal band from the 90s. I met so many kids who got into Death, Thrash and Black Metal thanks to Slipknot.
KOЯN literally invented the hole genre of nu metal. I love early Slipknot stuff(first 4 albums), but I’d mention KORN as the most influential Nu metal band
This
Yap. Without Korn there is no Slipknot.
ArrrrrrrrYOU READYYY
100% agree
Agree. I have a feeling that Bradley Beansworth is too young to realize how huge korn was , years before slipknot
How did you not include Judas Priest :(
yes... Rob Halford's top 10 list in a different video makes much more sense
😮
Easy, they are not good
@@jamesreece9502 they rule ☺️.
Lots of classics!
Not many can hit those notes .
@@eclat4641 Everyone is allowed their own opinion.
Mine just align more with Bradley's.
Something noteworthy about Black Sabbath is how they were downtuning back in the _70s._
Which was in the 70s@@ericjenkins2737
Another notable thing is that Jimmy Page was the inspiration for a lot of the heaviness. Sabbath isn't Sabbath without Zeppelin paving the way.
@@getshwiftygaming447Bullshit!
When you cut the tips of your fingers off and are looking ahead at a life on the dole in British Morder… well, what choice do you got?
@@jeffreyhanc1711 I was going to say to be fair it might never have happened if not for that, both the lightest strings he could find and still had to downtune. I don't think it was even Tony trying to be innovative, innovative as the band still was that might have been entirely a happy accident. They also mentioned a reason they played progressively louder adding to their sound was to drown out people talking and not paying attention.
you should start sneaking terry glaze into every video
Where’s the terry glaze pantera reunion?
I agree
terry glaze 👍
He should sneak the Terry Glaze references in with the David Junior references.
I find the lack of Judas Priest in this list disturbing... Black Sabbath laid the foundations for Metal, Priest took it to the next level with the speed, more heaviness, the on-stage look, the high pitched vocals and then Maiden came along and arguably perfected the entire package. Iron Maiden are my favourite band (Although I love Judas Priest almost as much) however, it should be a crime to understate Judas Priest's influence on Metal! I'd also maybe include Slayer in your list too, would Death Metal even be a thing if Slayer never existed?
Okay I'm done being a nitpicking arsehole now! Still enjoyed the video, Bradley! 😂
Their full coverage of all things metal in their catelogue is more than enough to crown them as Kings. Listen to British Steel then Defenders.. They are totally different from eachother, just as Turbo is from Stained Class. Halfords iconic voice aside, it sounds like two different bands.
They always evolved their sound and matched whatever was happening at the time whilst making it 'theirs".
Ive always thought too, that Beyond the Realms of Death sounded like a precursor , top influence on Metallica's "Fade to Black".
Zeppelin paved the way, Sabbath just joined soon after and were wrongly given the credit. Sabbath is amazing but Sabbath wouldn't have happened without Zeppelin pushing how heavy rock could actually be.
@@getshwiftygaming447 I'm a big fan of both Sabbath and Zeppelin (and Deep Purple as well). I highly disagree with you. Sabbath's sound is completely different, and to this day, their early albums sound just as Metal as if they had been released today.
@@HeathenDance their sounds are very similar, both rooted in the blues and variated between standard and drop tunings while never being afraid to play with odd tunings and being experimental. Tony Iommi even credited Jimmy page for inspiring the main riff for paranoid(this can be found in the insert for the deluxe edition of the most recent remaster circulation). Both were getting their early sound using guitars that were equipped with single coil pickups, many of the same amps and using celestion greenback speakers in the cabs. My favorite bands growing up were zeppelin and some of the bands/musicians who have sighted them as an influence sabbath, Saxon, priest, maiden and many more.
@@getshwiftygaming447 I'm not denying Zeppelin's influence, in a FEW of their songs, but they still don't sound Metal. Regarding distortion, dark sonority, tempo, etc. Classical Music, for example, is a massive influence when it comes to Metal. Both riffs and solos, depending on the composers. And you can't say that Bach, Liszt or Chopin were playing Heavy Metal. Regardless how appealing the concept is.
Where are judas Priest and Slayer?
On Black Sabbathical.
I think he just did the most important of each age without any contemporary ones. Judas being sabbath’s and slayer being Metallica’s. Megadeth not being there for the same reason through they could be.
@@evilme1752 sabbath is definitely the first true metal band, only a dummy would think anyone early is
Which metal band was before 1960 then? I don't know of any personally but I'd like to learn@@evilme1752
@@evilme1752AC/DC is not metal or hard rock, they are rock. That isn’t an insult. They do not have much in common with metal
Not including Judas Priest should be a crime. Judas Priest are literally the blueprint of Metal more so than Black Sabbath who did far more to influence Doom and Stoner music than all of Metal overall. Priest invented the dual guitar attack that most Metal band use today. The screaming fast guitar solos and louder than hell sound and vocals all contibute to Judas Priest. It was the dual guitar attack that influenced Slayers sound. Judas Priest are literally the quintessential Metal band. Period.
Agreed. Its annoying me too.
And one listen to Invincible Shield confirms that at 72, Halford is the Eternal Metal God. My God , "The Serpent and the King" is an incredible song! Priest's last two albums are absolute brilliance and have more immediate fire and attack than anything Maiden have done in a while.
Yes, & what about their use of leather clothing? No other metal band wore leather before Priest
I love it when people say "period" to emphasize an opinion as fact.
Amen! Not including JP is sacrilege. Otherwise a decent overview of metal genres and eras.
WHOA. I was not ready for Judas Priest being omitted.
Yeah, not cool.
@@MetalPersonJ there’s also a clear contrast between what Sabbath did and things Maiden did, bridged by Priest. The most obvious being the inclusion of a double lead guitar arrangement. Sabbath never had two guitarists, and it’s become such a staple in metal.
Priest did so much for early metal that they never get the appreciation for.
Twin guitar leads/harmonies
Double bass drumming*
Speed metal (1977)
The heavy metal look
Yes sabbath stumbled upon playing heavy but if you ask me the first band that could be classed as ‘heavy metal’ priest is the one. Practically every 80’s band owes it to them.
*they weren’t the first but the first band to use multiple instances of in during an album, sin after sin at least 5 of the 8 songs have fast double bass passages
@@davesiddons8921 Absolutely. And I'll say something more. People tend to "overrate" Sabbath when it comes to the birth of heavy metal and its subgenres, actually making other band's achievements pretty much invisible.
@@MGdelOesteagree 100%. Early sabbath is fantastic, groundbreaking etc but it’s hardly the definition of heavy metal, it’s metal alright but it’s not Heavy metal.
Stuff like Dissent Agresssor is still heavy by today’s standards, just the production lets it down.
Benis’s ability to ignore any acknowledgment of bass is truly incredible
He didn't ask Davie504 for permission to talk about bass.
Love the bass! We just had David Ellefson on our show, he was a truly wonderful guest
A Nu Metal segment, but absolutely no mention of Korn.
Also, Judas Priest is definitely the next step between Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden.
I’m disappointed you don’t have Judas Priest
Seriously!! I'd argue they're significantly more influential and culturally impactful than Iron Maiden
@@mybluguitar6051yep, sad but true
Maybe make your own list and plonk it on RUclips🤟
@@mybluguitar6051 exactly, nobody sounds like Maiden because they're so boring and outdated
@@Vivi_9they are recording Brave new wolrd until today Brave new wolrd and Book of souls are the best albums for me from that period but senjutsu is just a lazy album its the worst maiden album for me and listening to it, i just had enough of this “Brave new wolrd fase“
ok, maybe if we agree on their lack of pop culture impact , we can ignore Venom. But tell me if Motorhead isn't one of the few bands ever to both create a new style for others to copy stretching among many genres, while at the same time being one of the most recognized artists in the world while still keeping trve
But they were their own thing, didn’t really start a movement, they called themselves a rock and roll band, and didn’t really belong to metal. They were just an insanely heavy rock and roll band😂
For real motorhead influenced everyone from Lars to euronymous be influenced a lot of metal fashion and he was the embodiment of a true rockstar motorhead not being on this list is a crime
Motörhead being among the most recognized artists in the world is a stretch. All credit where it's due, they're a legendary band in the metal community, but they aren't exactly a mainstream band in a sense which Metallica and Iron Maiden are, and Iron Maiden even push it a little bit. Mentioning them to non-metalheads often has mixed reactions of awareness. If you ask an old-time metaller, a thrash metaller, maybe a punk, definitely WWE fans, someone who has watched Airheads, about Motörhead, they'll know everything. It isn't like that outside of these spheres. They're mostly known for Ace of Spades, Killed By Death, Overkill, The Game, Line in the Sand, and King of Kings. Other than them, most people will have no clue who they are.
Influence of Motorhead on all metal genres is insane. Thrash, Black, Death and Speed Metal all raised from their sound.
@@dexter27081984 yep I would argue they're the second most influential band ever only ones I'd say had more influence is sabbath
I’m really happy to see two swedish bands on the list. ”Slaughter of the soul” really is an amazing album and so far ahead of it’s time.
The Gallery and Purgatory Afterglow were way better and much more influential to the genre
Actually, the melodeath mention should've been Carcass, for Heartwork.
Yet nobody knows about Dissection.
I would add Judas Priest to the list as well as their first trademark to wear leather clothes extensively on stage
noone asked
@@thatguy9464 Don't be that guy.
@@perlundgren7797 He is that guy
@@thatguy9464 one of these douchebags
Oh yes, have to include Priest!
00:44 "c*m" *David appears*
XD
they try to take his *bAAaaLLss* , before the head explodes
Big respect for including "at the gates". But no Slayer?
Slayer's cultural impact may be as much as Metallica's, even with way fewer albums sold.
He even mentions the whole chugging the low string and playing on the highers which is what slayer did
Honestly, if it's for the whole Melodeath thing, shouldn't it be Carcass instead? Heartwork came out 2 years earlier than Slaughter of the Soul.
Jeff Hanneman invented the reverse gallop that everyone uses.
Replace At The Gates with Carcass. Heartwork is the OG melodic death metal album
I love the fact that no mattter if youre into Thrash Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Black Metal, or even Punk, everyone can agree that Black Sabbath was a band.
The big vocals and twin guitars you picked out iron maiden for were both done by judas priest 6 years before.
Who fucking cares, it's not that big of a deal.
@@user-kn1uj2tp6r Then put a cork in it, if you don't care. 😎👍
@@user-kn1uj2tp6r dude shut up.
@@user-kn1uj2tp6r "but Judas Priest invented dual lead."
No. They didn't. Thin Lizzy did. Priest used it for metal though.
That is true, love maiden, but have to include Priest, it's a travesty!
Judas Fucking Priest
Few metal bands as influential as Priest
They fucking suck
@springbloom5940 You are so wrong, I feel bad for you.
@@jamesreece9502 What do you mean?
@@ericjenkins2737 Why don't you ask Bradley Hall, he omitted them for a reason, I'm just agreeing with him.
Imo Judas Priest should be on this list. I mean they had soooo much influence on metal. They pretty much invented speed metal with Exciter and Call for the priest, inspired alot of bands today to play metal, Rob basicaly defined the voice of metal and they defined the look of metal with lether clothes and spikes. You could also make an argument for them being the first metal band. I would say that they are much more important to metal than Dream Theater, BMTH and At the Gates. I also think Venom should on this list. They basicaly started doing extreme metal and I can't imagine what would bands like Metallica, Slayer and Mayhem sound like without them.
Shocked that Judas Priest aren't on there. I mean, Rob Halford's vocals pretty much inspired all power metal and Glen and KKs shredding inspired speed metal and many thousands of aspiring guitarists. The imagery which cemented the whole motor bikes, leather and chains sort of look. Love it or hate it, has been a huge influence on the imagery of metal ever since. I mean, they just embody metal so bloody well. And their enduring appeal. Who would have thought, they would still be writing popular albums such as Firepower and Invincible Shield in 2024, 55 years after they started. And in those 55 years, they just about influenced everyone. Also, just for pure legendary status as well, Lemmy and Motorhead surely should be on this list. I know that Lemmy himself as well as many others would argue that Motorhead aren't metal, but they embodied everything about metal and as such, their influence on metal is undeniable.
Yeah, no Judas Priest but we get... At the gates? lmao
@@TheSonics11 I'd say At The Gates deserve a spot. They helped pioneer Melodeath in Gothenburg alongside In Flames, but unlike In Flames, you can see a lot of At the Gates' influence on a lot of the 2000s Metalcore bands. At the Gate is an influential band. No problem with them being on the list, well either then or In Flames. No priest though is a crime
No Judas Priest? No Slayer? No Motorhead?? Come on Bradley !!
Come on. No Judas Priest? They invented the modern metal and also invented the nails and metal clothing. Deserves #1 spot.
Priest is way better than Iron Maiden for sure!!
2 things:
1: thank you for the genuine LOL moment that was "Sountrack to falling down the stairs" . I hope DT see that and make it their next album title. Brilliant!!
2: No other band in the history of Heavy Metal has ever embraced the genre as much as Judas Priest. When others were distancing themselves from the label, Halford was out there with no shame, proud to called metal. The whole band are legends, but Rob Halford is the undisputed king of Metal. It's criminal that they're not on your list.
King Crimson is much much more than I talk to the wind
Yeah, the Red album and most precisely Starless is basically Type O Negative if they were into weed and psychedelia and not into Whiskey and Red Wine 😂😂😂
IKR??!? Like already mentioned Red, but if we stay on In the Court, 21st Century Schizoid Man is really heavy, Larks Tongues in Aspic part 1 has some heavy shit, and part 2 is heavier than a lot of metal albums.
@@uvarighalvarado8677 in a sense, I actually think King Crimson has a more metal mood, a certain refined raw energy, than Dream Theater, which is a prog-metal evolution of AOR a-la Toto
@@davidemiozzi8589 I 100% agree with you! KC has that raw metal energy.
I follow Bradley's channel because he is funny. But most of his opinions are hard to take serious. Including Meshuggah on this list as "IMPORTANT AND INFLUENTIAL" genuinely made me laugh. Which is why I'm here!
Huh, I expected Opeth to show up, they are not the most popular/influential but I think so many bands inspire themselves from their sound and they really brought absolutely new stuff to the table.
Im sorry man, but L take for not mentioning Judas Priest's 70s material!!!! Lets list the facts:
- they were the first metal band with gavs the archetype of a metal singer (not bruce, def rob halford)
- they were the first metal band with two lead guitarists (downing and tipton)
- they were the first metal band to play speed metal
- they were the first metal band to play prog (listen to the S trilogy if you dont believe me)
- they were the first metal band to commercialize the sound (hell bent for leather and british steel)
Not to mention, you said the criteria in the beginning was a metal band has to be influential and culturally impactful. Priest were the big 4 of thrash's biggest influence. Not to mention the leather they wore since hell bent for leather created the look for metal in the 80s.
You could argue most of those things yeah but in that domain of traditional Metal, Iron Maiden had faaaar more commercial success and their influence is much greater-reaching than Priest's was. Priest are a sick band don't get me wrong but they never reached anywhere near the success that Maiden did
@BradleyHallGuitar if you're talking about the current era, you're right. Maiden are more popular with everyone wearing their t shirts and their concerts selling wide. However, in the 80s, priest were significantly bigger. They were in commercials, their albums were always played on the radio (never maiden), and their concerts were huge. Not to mention the 80s look for metal was leather, and that's entirely due to judas priest. Anyway, hopefully I'm not coming off as a dick. This is just my viewpoint
@@BradleyHallGuitarI would dispute the “influence” part. Early thrash like Megadeth and Slayer has much more Priest than Maiden in it and thrash was the gateway to death and other extreme subgenres.
You can hear their influence on Maiden in those early records aswell. Sinner and The Ripper have instrumental sections that, absolutely influenced Maiden harmonies and lead riff playing. The whole NWOBHM itselt owes a ton to the Priest.
I love Priest's diverse set of songs. They have something for everyone. When hearing Killing Machine and Painkiller, youd be forgiven thinking they are separate bands, they are very diverse. Maiden, as good as they are- theyve got that sound that, you always know its them. I mean that as a good thing.👍
@@BradleyHallGuitar Hmmm not sure about Maiden having greater-reaching influence. The thing is, back in the late 70s and early 80s, when metal main subgenres were being first developed, Priest influence was bigger, they were seen as the quintaessential metal band.
Excellent list!
If we were to expand on this to other most influential bands I'd argue to include Judas Priest, Slayer, Nightwish, Eluveitie, Evanescence, and Opeth. One could make an argument for Linkin Park as well as their influence exceeds even metal.
Are you high ?
Nightwish might deserve a spot with the whole symphonic metal stuff they brought around, however the others I really don't see. Eluveitie is just one of the children of Bathory, nothing groundbreaking (I do love them tho), Evanescence was very popular but again they haven't invented anything. Opeth is great but kinda falls into the same category as Dream Theater and DT is just way more influential. (Cant stand DT and love Opeth, but this is the truth)
@@golgotai2938 I would argue that Therion is as important as Nightwish for symphonic metal. They were years ahead. (Started in 1987 while Nightwish came 1996)
Nightwish are bigger, so for this list it might be them though since popularity seems to weigh in heavily.
Who the hell are Eluveitie... ?
@@laurisaarinen1126 Eluveitie is a good folk metal band but I don't think they are that influential
I would add: Judas Priest (they created the traditional metal sound - twin guitars, high pitched male singing etc.), Sepultura (everything up to and including Roots has been influential on heavy metal), Stratovarius (Visions is the blueprint for all power metal that came after it), Candlemass (their debut is the foundation of doom metal), Therion founded symphonic metal and Nightwish mainstreamed it. Ministry pioneered industrial metal. DragonForce brought guitar virtuosity to an entire generation - playing Through the Fire and Flames is every RUclips guitarists rite of passage.
Thanks for this complementary list, I would argue Ministry is the biggest omission, as without them we wouldn't have NIN, Fear Factory, Rammstein etc. possibly not even Meshuggah and nü (or at least not as we know them!)
I never really got into Shitslot, they felt like a fad that hasn't faded.
True
Their first five albums are very good for different reasons from each other. After them, members are gone, their energy has come down, and writing has become very stale.
They're one of the only bands where I think the hit songs were actually the best ones, I've tried listening to albums in full and it just gets very repetitive after a while.
If I want some good heavy Nu Metal I'll put on L.D 50 by Mudvayne, that album has so much variety, great song writing, great playing and the musicianship is insane especially with the bass.
A fad that hasn't faded is something that is part of culture. Like it or not.
Taylor Swift is going to be huge for ever at this rate, you may hate it, but that equates to a lasting cultural influence even If you're not a fan
Priest is 2nd only to Black Sabbath in importance.
No Korn? Come on that feels illegal
They were influential alright in the ruination of metal as I knew it. They ruined Sepultura and disgusted those of us who love guitar solos and musicality in metal and not just chugging away on the low strings all the time.
@@eamonahern7495Exhibit A on why metal fans are the worst
@@eamonahern7495Found the elitist
@@Del_987Lmfao
Great story! I like the way how you build it up, and explained why those bands were selected
My list would be like this:
Black Sabbath
Judas Priest
Iron Maiden
Metallica
Helloween
Death
Pantera
Dream Theater
Emperor
Rammstein
In Flames
Nightwish
I might piss someone, but neither Death, or Mayhem where nearly as influential, let alone as big as Judas Priest. If Aliens come and ask "Yo´what is Metal" you preent them Judas Priest
how was Motorhead not mentioned
4 most important metal bands
Black Sabbath
Judas Priest
Iron Maiden
Metallica
Agree, maybe Death too if it was 5
@@henrywalton5967 Venom 6th, no death without Venom.
Tbh they're not important but only well known
@@niechzyjeja3701you’re joking right? not important? that tells a lot about your music knowledge…
They ok but I’d replace Iron Maiden for Venom for creating the 3 principal extreme genres
I agree that Dream Theater are the most influential prog metal band ever, but let's not forget that Fates Warning pretty much nailed the sound DT were going for on their Perfect Symmetry album in 1989. FW definitely deserve credit for truly pioneering the genre
Finally someone mentioned Fates Warning, there so underrated its criminal.
I would include Judas Priest (of course) and Tool and Rammstein (for their styles and influence)....
Tool is overrated AF. SOAD is miles ahead
@@libertycitygoon320 you must be joking
Where the heck is Nickelback ?
Canada..... too far away to count
I do feel motor head in the mid to late 70s really influenced the speed and look of metal.
True
Motorhead wasn't metal nor did they consider themselves metal at all. Lemmy would tell everyone they are a rock and roll band.
That is something he said hes also said its metal most metal heads agree Motorhead is metal. In an interview Ozzy used to atribute the creation of metal to Lemmy and vise versa. Motorheads obvious influence in the early NWOBHM was also huge.@@user-kn1uj2tp6r
Deep Purple had already done that.
@@SatansDonkey666 not in the same way
I would definitely add Opeth as the pioneers of whatever sound they play. Its like progressive death metal but also kinda doom metal but also kind folk metal but also kinda melodeath. The amount of Opeth copycats that arose from sweden and the Netherlands in the early 2'000s is insane and some of them are still going strong today.
Wait, which dutch bands are Opeth clones?
Can you name some? I am intrigued. Cuz I am looking for something similar like Opeth.
Agalloch/ swallow the sun, tiamet, katatonia.
@@pritambanik7228 Agalloch, Swallow the Sun, Katatonia, In Mourning, Leprous, Soen, Insomnium...
@@kybamclane9357 Ne Obliviscaris, Wilderun
You missed hair metal. And I'm not saying this because I'm particularly a hair metal fan, but come on. It was huge for a decade.
I guess that's covered by Pantera with Metal Magic 😂
In that case Van Halen would be on this list...however I think that, as well as all the hair "metal" can be filed under "hard rock"
@@jasonshyer5419 I'm not sure Van Halen is metal (although I wouldn't argue the point) , but bands like Motley Crue and Ratt are. Denying that sounds like "No True Scotsman" since they were in fact called glam or hair metal at the time.
I would make a case for Necrophagist, every tech death band nowadays draws a lot from what Necro did to perfection.
Even to this day their stuff is so advanced! Crazy to think it's almost 25 years ago since the release of Onset..
Yes and no because Decapitated with Nihility and Organic Hallucinosis did that way better.
The 10 most important metal bands are, in no particular order:
- Black Sabbath
- Death
- Dream Theater
- Iron Maiden
- Judas Priest
- Mayhem
- Metallica
- Opeth
- Pantera
- Tool
11 - Fear Factory. The progenitors of Industrial Metal. They've set the standard for mechanically precise palm-muted riffing and double bass patterns for a whole generation of bands to come.
12 - Neurosis. The entire Post Metal genre wouldn't exist if it wasn't for their 90's albums.
Fear Factory definitely added a fresh sound to industrial metal, adding in the groove metal elements, and Burton Bell pioneering the sort of clean/growl vocal dichotomy that so many metal singers ape to this day. And it helps having Rhys Fulber handling your synth/sequencing/sampling duties. But they were far from the progenitors of industrial metal; Ministry, KMFDM, My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult all predated them.
I think industrial metal started with Ministry.
@@bananaempijama And you're right. But the absolute, undisputed game-changer was Demanufacture.
Demanufacture was a turning point for sure, nothing before it had such precise mechanical riffs coupled with the syncopated drums. And the clean and harsh vocal combination. One of the best albums ever made imo
@@alexgrunde6682I would add the UK band Pitchshifter to your list of original Industrial metal bands; who are better than FF in my opinion. Underrated and better than all you mentioned (with the possible exception of Ministry)...
No Judas Priest = no Maiden.
No Mercyful Fate, No Celtic Frost = no Mayhem.
Ah, I See You're a Man of Culture As Well.
Many might disagree but Sepultura totally deserved to be on the list. They are one of the few bands that managed to be influential in multiple genres: Thrash, Death, Groove and even Nu Metal.
Great list, hard to argue against any of those picks, altough I think Judas Priest should have a spot on anybody's list. When I saw you didn't insert them after Sabbath, I thought they were going to be the last band as they are the quintessential metal band.
Anyway, here's my take on this impossible task
Black Sabbath
Judas Priest
Motorhead
Iron Maiden
Anything Dio (Rainbow, Heaven and Hell, Dio)
Metallica
Slayer
Death
Mayhem
Pantera
Slipknot
Avenged Sevenfold (Don't really listen to them, but I think they deserve a spot to represent the 21st Century)
THANK YOU for acknowledging the death metal influence on Slipknot \m/
Hehehe they're always labelled nu-metal, true theres a dj and a bit of fast lyrical 'rap' but slipknot was way more extreme than any of their contemporaries. People =Shit opens with blast beats 😂 it is a pop death metal album
The only band that is probably even more influential than Sabbath and Maiden is Judas Priest. I always get chills when i hear Victim of Changes unleashed in the east version. Maiden , Priest and Sabbath are three top of the top Metal bands.
Because there is alot of new band playing old school heavy metal and sounding alot like Judas Priest, I would put Judas Priest on the list. not only they were a big influence in the 80's and 90's, but they still are!
Also, honorable mentions:
Korn: still influencial, but alot less then in the early 20's,
Rammstein: by far the biggest industrial metal band and I think they surpass Metallica in selling concert tickets now.
Motorhead: Legends, but maybe a bit less influencial. They push everyone to play faster though. I think the way they played in shows actually have an influence on grunge.
Good list!
Lemmy _always_ said Motörhead were a rock 'n roll band, so that's why they're not on the list. Influence or not.
@@MrLBPugYeah I know, but they are way more a metal band than a Rock'n'Roll band haha
Good morning Bradley-poo 🥰🥰🥰
MORNING
Dude, I love Maiden, but overall, Priest are way more influential. They changed everything, not in terms of just the music, but also the look and the attitude. British steel is the first fully Metal album in my view and Screaming for Vengeance perfected a lot of tropes we now hear in metal still
I’d argue the 6 most important Metal bands of all time are in order by date
1. *Sabbath:* Do I even need to explain they invented the genre and revolutionized the sound of heavy music, they’re influence is simply undeniable
2. *Judas Priest:* They’re combination of the heaviness of metal with the speed and energy of punk rock would give birth to the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal
3. *Venom:* The birth of extreme metal, this band was vitally important for the development of Thrash, Black, Death, their descendants, and all other genres of extreme metal.
4. *Metallica:* Arguably the most popular metal band of all time Metallica and its influence on the development of metal cannot be understated, from birthing Thrash, to popularizing extreme metal, and influencing countless bands from Slayer, to Pantera.
5. *Melvins:* Whilst Metal had been progressively getting faster and more aggressive from Heavy Metal, through the NWOBHM to Thrash, within the underground a form of Traditional Heavy Metal survived progressively becoming slower and darker evolving into Doom Metal. This eventually culminated with Melvins who combined it with the aggression of hardcore punk, giving birth to Sludge Metal. In turn the influence of Melvins came to define the sound of not just metal, but nearly all music in the 90’s. From completely changing the sound of the New Orleans Metal Scene and in turn inspiring Pantera to take thrash and give it a slower, groovier, and heavier; to inspiring a new wave of metal around the Pacific Northwest that combined Sludge with the traditional heavy metal of Sabbath and Alternative Rock, not only birthing Alternative Metal with bands such as Alice In Chains, HELMET, TOOL, and Soundgarden. But as well influencing the Seattle scene as a whole and most importantly Nirvana who would go on to completely change music forever.
6. *KoЯn.* Whilst Groove and Alternative Metal came to dominate the metal scene of the early 90’s, at the same time, inspired by Metallica, Funk Rock became increasingly heavier with bands such as Faith No More, Primus, & Rage Against The Machine, evolving into Funk Metal. This culminated in 1994 when the Sludgy, Dark, Downtuned sound of Alternative Metal, was combined with the Heaviness and Groove of Groove Metal, the Funkiness and Energy of Funk Metal, and was combined with unconventional Hip-Hop style production, completely changing the sound of Metal forever.
Judas Priest is A LOT more influencial than Maiden, but like light years of difference.
Judas Priest and Korn should both definitely be in that list. Korn were massively influential! And Judas Priest... well that needs no explanation.
All metalheads must bow down to the severed fingertips of Master Iommi
And so ultimately to Django Reinhart
Mercyful Fate/King Diamond should definitly be on the list
This is the best list I’ve seen, I totally agree with every pick on here, and as a huge death fan, love to see the love for them!
What do you think of my list? Did I miss anyone obvious??
Judas Priest!
I think it was great! Maybe Mötley Crüe or Dream Theater could’ve been on this list, but that’s just my opinion ^^ Keep up the great work, Brad! 🤘🏼
Oops, I missed the Dream Theater bit (for some reason) sry 😅
Korn!
Steel Panther
How is no one talking about the exclusion of MOTÖRHEAD here, they invented double bass pedal drums and speed metal which led to thrash and power metal. They were literally the loudest band of all time. Without them the heaviest it gets is Judas Priest. And IMO Judas Priest probably should’ve had Iron Maiden’s spot, Iron Maiden in 1980 was essentially a punk band and priest was already doing everything mentioned about maiden
Cool that you dropped some props to my all time favorite album here. Love me some Slaughter of the Soul
I'm actually a bit disappointed to see Mayhem as "most influential" for black metal... i really would opt for Bathory instead, since Mayhem was heavily influenced by Bathory and latter mentioned created the blueprint for scandinavian black metal, which is what Mayhem plays. Hence Bathory deserves this title more than Mayhem, imho.
He puts Slipknot and At the gates but not Judas Priest 🤦♂️
Does Iron Maiden even exist without the influence of Judas Priest?
Great video
Leaving Judas Priest off this list is criminal. You don't get to literally every other post Sabbath band on this list without Judas Priest. Just because they had literal Spinal Tap incompetent management and never got as big as Iron Maiden doesn't mean they should be considered less important. They stripped whatever blues Black Sabbath had and gave us the literal sound and LOOK of heavy metal.
Also, Mayhem is NOT more important than Bathory. For two reasons: 1) Bathory invented so many more black metal aesthetics that are still used today (one man bedroom project, never playing live, mystery), 2) Bathory have more classic albums. Shit, Mayhem only have one album people talk about.
Also also 8:15 LOLOLOLOL fuck Court of the Crimson King. (real men love Red)
Also also also, honestly aside from the costumes, everything Slipknot did, Meshuggah did better (and earlier).
I did think about putting Priest on, but when I really think about it they were very influential for a certain amount of time but that wide-reaching influence didn't really last. Maiden took what Priest did but really refined it and brought it to a bigger audience. Unfortunately Priest just kinda remained a cult band. Perhaps I should've given them more of a nod in the video though!
And yeah Bathory are important too but Black Metal would 100% not have become what we know it as today without Mayhem, they had infinitely more cultural importance than Bathory. Like I mentioned in the video, Mayhem transcended just being a band and become more of a phenomenon.
...and yes, Red is a sick album!
@@BradleyHallGuitar Don't know too many cult bands that still play arenas worldwide, including the US. and by that logic no one's influence "really lasts," including Metallica. There's no doubt that Iron Maiden became the bigger band, but in terms of fame Judas Priest and Iron Maiden were neck and neck in the 80s. Hell, Priest have a certified double platinum album in the states, Maiden don't.
Addendum: Using that logic, Cannibal Corpse's influence has outlasted Death's influence.
As for the crime element of Mayhem, you're forgetting that a big perpetrator of those crimes and antisocial elements that was temporarily a Mayhem member is actually the main member of Burzum. So you might as well say that black metal wouldn't become etc. etc. if not for Burzum.
@@BradleyHallGuitara cult band? they played the Power Trip festival last year with Guns n Roses, Metallica, Iron Maiden, ACDC and Tool, and they usually headline big festivals, or make arena tours. They are not huge like Metallica and Iron Maiden, but they're still a big band, and they were very big in the US for a decade in the 80s. All those albums starting with Sin After Sin, and likely Sad Wings but Gull were too cheap to pay for a certification, ended up being gold, platinum or 2xplatinum, up to Painkiller. They are far from being a cult band. That aside, ignoring what Priest did from 1976 arguably up to 1984 for the evolution of heavy metal, also Painkiller, is nonsense imo.
@@BradleyHallGuitarI’ve seen you suggest this before and I don’t know how the metal spheres we’re living in are so different. I’ve heard JP covered at metal fests and bar shows from Los Angeles to Boston consistently over the last 10 years or so and it’s always a crowd pleaser, whether it’s 70s era or Screaming for Vengeance or Defenders or Painkiller. Was just at a big fest and at the after party bar, when the dj put on Painkiller, the entire bar of drunk metalheads was screaming along together-think “Sweet Caroline” at a bar in Boston on a Red Sox day. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced that with Maiden. Speed metallers, thrashers, traditional heavy metallers, power metallers, hell even my friend who prefers brutal death metal most of the time, fucking adores Priest. People love Priest. Maybe your circle missed the memo. Cult band??? Maybe if you think metal is cult? Which it is, tbh? (That’s why “kvlt” is a thing.) But anyway, their mainstream impact was huge. I remember as a kid when fucking Sum 41 rapped about them: “heavy metal and mullets, it’s how we were raised, Maiden, AND PRIEST, were the guys that we praised.” But is mainstream what we’re really talking about?? Thought this was about what’s been influential and is still beloved within the metal community. The amount of comments here going “hey wtf where’s Priest” (and the hundreds of likes on all of those) should tell you something about that.
you skipped right past judas priest. list irrelevant.
also, morbid angel > death, darkthrone > mayhem, entombed > at the gates... i could go on, but this list disappoints!
@@zenoslime super based comment, morbid angel literally gave death metal a new sound, darkthrone is the best 2ndwave black metal band, and entombed is the greatest dm of all time
X Japan should be here, they revolutionized all Japanese metal and visual-kei.
as much as i and a lot of people enjoy them, they were only ever really as popular as they were, in japan. we're talking about bands who left a mark on the entire world, not just one country. like dont get me wrong, i love japanese bands. sigh, boris, loudness, sex maching gun, effigy, x japan, etc. some of the heaviest shit ive ever heard came from the japanese punk and metal scenes. but as great and influential as they were, even theyll tell you they cant measure up to half the bands on or outside this list in terms of just how game changing and influential they were to the genre as a whole.
Good vid. You ever heard of Ayreon?
I love Ayreon! Arjen Lucassen and his various projects have had such an impact on me!
Respect to the list, I would’ve also included Napalm Death, simply because they were the ones who a lot of people trace back to being the band who INVENTED the blast beat (if my memory serves me correctly). Not only that, Grindcore wouldn’t even be a thing without them
Korn would’ve also been good on the list, mainly because while Slipknot does have the influence of image, Korn were the guys who made nu Metal a thing to begin with
Yep, Napalm Death is certainly an influential band in metal…the inventors of grindcore…and they have a ton of great albums
@@vietnamd0820 They’re also badass live, I saw them twice, and both times they KILLED it
@@Guts100Slain i live in the US…it was on my bucket list to see them in the UK and I finally got to do that this month
I saw them IN the US... they kicked hella ass@@vietnamd0820
I think Sepultura should be included. Back in 80's when metal was becoming a scene here in northern Europe (in my perspective Finland especially) Sepultura was mentioned to be extreme rough. One of the pioneers for sure.
I think putting slipknot over korn is a mistake considering that korn created nu metal.
Love how he used mushroom head for slipknots photo 💀
My personal list would be
1. Black Sabbath
2. Motorhead
3. Sleep
4. Possessed
5. Melvins
6. Celtic Frost
7. Metallica
8. Neurosis
9. Iron Maiden
10. King Diamond
Glad sb mentions Celtic Frost ... Death/Doom/Black/Avantgarde Metal pioneers
Bathory should have been on the list. Bro invented 2 metal genres (black and viking).
Slayer?
Good list, but I might have added In Flames. Say what you will about their more recent material (Foregone was DOOOPPPPEEE though!) but their influence is undeniable.
I don't think the last 4 bands really deserve to be on this list. Judas Priest, Van Halen (most influential guitar player ever for metal) should definitely be on the list.
My List:
Black Sabbath (Pretty much invented metal)
Judas Priest (Twin lead guitars, high pitched vocals)
Rainbow (Invented Power Metal with Dio at the helm)
Venom (UNARGUABLY invented Black Metal)
Metallica (Brought thrash to the masses)
Death (I agree with you on this one)
Rage Against the Machine (No RATM no Nu Metal)
Carcass (A bunch of Scousers invented the Gothenburg sound)
Nightwish (Was doing the Goth/Operatic thing before anyone)
Linkin Park (Much more than Slipknot, LP brought Nu Metal to the masses)
Killswitch Engage (Has a lot to answer for Metalcore)
Babymetal (No one had ever heard anything like it when the arrived on the scene)
Venom did not invent Black Metal, Bathory was much more influential and developed the sound of the genre.
@@manogueto156 They literally have an album called Black Metal -_- Also listen to Don't Burn the Witch and then Born for Burning back to back and tell me Bathory didnt lift the subject matter and riff from Venom (I love Bathory too btw)
You always have to limit these lists at some point or you'll go on forever, but I would have rounded it out to a Sweet 16 list and added Megadeth, Judas Priest, Slayer, and Ozzy's Blizzard of Oz solo band featuring Randy Rhoades on guitar.
I’m not even watching this video if Judas Priest and Slayer are missing
You forgot Motorhead.
I would put judas priest in place of Iron Maiden. Much more consisten and they anticipated Maiden with their 70s albums. They also defined the whole heavy metal aesthetic basically.
Judas Priest, Motörhead and Slayer are the most obvious omissions. I'd stick Korn in there as well.
I love Maiden but I don’t think they’re nearly as influential as Judas Priest. JP was around way longer and took what sabbath did and really defined metal
Half of the bands you mentioned here worship Priest and Motörhead as their main influences, and you put At The Gate, Slipknot and BMTH in the list as the most influential bands ever? 😂
My pick for the 10 most influential metal bands ever, before I see the video (more or less by chronological order). It's just something I came up quickly, didn't give it a lot of thought, but I'm curious to see how well it overlaps with Bradley's list.
Black Sabbath
Judas Priest
Van Halen
Metallica
Slayer
Venom
Death
Pantera
Meshuggah
Slipknot
OK I got Sabbath, Metallica, Death, Pantera, Slipknot, and Meshuggah (happy they're here).
I'll consider half a point for Venom as they were mentioned, I hesitated between them and Bathory because of course black metal has to be taken into account, but Bradley went for Mayhem instead, I accept that (but still, half a point).
If I had known it would total to 12 before writing my guesses, I may have added Killswitch Engage and... I don't know! Can't say Iron Maiden now that I've seen the video, and I considered them but went to Judas Priest anyway, so I'd be lying. Maybe Def Leppard or Motley Crue haha. Or maybe even Motorhead. Anyway I wouldn't have gotten more points.
6.5/10, I consider myself happy. Good video Bradley.
Glad to see Helloween acknowledged here. They began really with Kai Hansen on vocals as a speed metal band but made the leap to the Michael Kiske ‘Keeper’ albums which is the classic European power metal prototype.
I've never understood the "Helter Skelter was the first heavy metal song." But to me "I want you (She's So Heavy)" always had parts that felt very metal to me. The first few notes, for example. Or the part that starts at 01:55 of the song. And it gets even more epic at 04:35.
Beatles fans would lead you to believe they invented harmonized vocals as well haha
Brilliant video, Bradley
Thanks!
One word: DIO.
I love that you included Helloween 🤙