The Best Bands in Metal

Heavy metal music is one of the most strong and influential genres in music today. Metal is something that can't be easily described or explained. It is something that is felt. Good metal reverberates in the soul of its audience and brings the listener into a new world. Too often performers think that simply yelling makes them metal, but good, true heavy metal is something more. Below is a short list of some of the best.

Metallica

The undisputed gods of Metal:

The founding fathers of the heavy metal we know today, Metallica grabbed the music industry by the throat, took no prisoners and changed the face of music forever. Complaints have emerged over the last few years about the band's new look, new sound, new lineup, etc. It seams like every time a new album comes out, we hear people whine about how it's not like their older harder stuff. People complain about new efforts because, as we know metal heads are hard to please. The fact is, when you look at their history, and contributions to music, all transgressions are forgivable. They could do a cover of Party in the U.S.A. in a special duet with Miley Cyrus, and I wouldn't care because they brought us master of puppets. Metallica could bring out an album of Britney Spears covers and I still can't be mad at them because they brought us and justice for all. The fact is that while their last album death magnetic shows that they can still make great music, even if they were doing nothing these days, their contributions of the past solidify them as one of the greatest bands of all time

Slipknot

The saviors of heavy metal:

Slipknot is like some kind of amazing pumped carnival freak show. Seeing the band perform is like watching the bastard love child of early Metallica and early KISS. Their image sells an idea, like some nightmarish circus, but their music stands strong on its own. The brilliant drum work of Joey Jordison, the incredible vocals of Corey Taylor, and the howling spirit of the band, set them apart from the pack.

Static X

The Screaming Soul of Metal:

Static X manages to exemplify both metal and rock. If you listen to stingray, the vocals are so aggressive, powerful, and overflowing with pure metal soul, but also within is a core of rock and roll calling back to the heyday of the genre. Listening to Wayne Static's screaming vocals in the songs dirthouse and submission puts most other current rock and metal to shame.

And others...

I know, I left a lot of people out. I expect to hear: "what about Korn? Marilyn Manson? King Diamond? Pantera? etc." This is not an all inclusive list of top metal bands, just some of the best and most influential out there.