Some of the world’s most famous and influential rock bands have dallied with the heavy metal and metal sub-genres at various points in their careers. Some, such as Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, and Led Zepplin, were responsible for starting the heavy metal movement, whilst others may only have experimented with the sound for a few tracks or performances. Either way, some of the best-selling songs and albums of the last few generations have been heavy-metal orientated while the genre itself continues to be popular with the music-loving generation today.
Some of the great bands from the seventies, eighties, and early nineties experimented with the heavy metal sound. Bands such as AC/DC, KISS, Queen, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Cream, Steppenwolf, Judas Priest, and Alice Cooper are known to have used or been influenced by the heavy metal techniques of distorted, percussive guitar and incessant, rhythmic drumming.
Within the sub-genres of the heavy metal scene there are also several famous acts. Although the divisions into sub-genres are often contested by the fans and the bands themselves, there are often subtle differences in sound which warrant the classification. Alternative Metal, for example, may be a slightly softer sound which brings in acoustics from time to time. Butthole Surfers, Faith No More, Primus, Sound Garden, Jane’s Addiction, Alice in Chains, Deftones, Tool, Rage Against the Machine, Mudvayne, System of a Down, SlipKnot and Godsmack are all considered to be part of this scene. Industrial Metal, meanwhile, includes such famous names as Godflesh, Nine Inch Nails, Rammstein, Ministry, Rob Zombie, Fear Factory, Korn and Marilyn Manson. Trash metal extends to Anthrax, Megadeath, Exodus, Sepultura, and Metallica. Whilst many people would consider these bands to belong to the wider group of ‘heavy metal’, some see virtue in further dividing the genre.
Some of the great bands from the seventies, eighties, and early nineties experimented with the heavy metal sound. Bands such as AC/DC, KISS, Queen, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Cream, Steppenwolf, Judas Priest, and Alice Cooper are known to have used or been influenced by the heavy metal techniques of distorted, percussive guitar and incessant, rhythmic drumming.
Within the sub-genres of the heavy metal scene there are also several famous acts. Although the divisions into sub-genres are often contested by the fans and the bands themselves, there are often subtle differences in sound which warrant the classification. Alternative Metal, for example, may be a slightly softer sound which brings in acoustics from time to time. Butthole Surfers, Faith No More, Primus, Sound Garden, Jane’s Addiction, Alice in Chains, Deftones, Tool, Rage Against the Machine, Mudvayne, System of a Down, SlipKnot and Godsmack are all considered to be part of this scene. Industrial Metal, meanwhile, includes such famous names as Godflesh, Nine Inch Nails, Rammstein, Ministry, Rob Zombie, Fear Factory, Korn and Marilyn Manson. Trash metal extends to Anthrax, Megadeath, Exodus, Sepultura, and Metallica. Whilst many people would consider these bands to belong to the wider group of ‘heavy metal’, some see virtue in further dividing the genre.