Original movement: 19671981[edit]

In the late 1960s a number of bands began pushing the limits of blues
rock into a new genre which would be called heavy metal.[1][2]
In 1981,[3] three of the 'Big Four' thrash metal bands emerged:
Metallica,[4] Slayer[5] and Anthrax;[6] to be joined on the scene in
1983 by Megadeth.[7]

09[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
44 Magnum
Japan
19771989, 2002present
220 Volt Sweden 1979present
A[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
A II Z United Kingdom
1979-1982
Accept[8]
Germany 19761989, 19921997, 20042005, 2009present
Accept played an important role in the development of speed
metal and Teutonic thrash metal, being part of the German heavy/speed/
power metal scene which emerged in the early to mid-1980s.[9]
AC/DC
Australia
1973present
Aerosmith[10]
United States
1970present
Alice Cooper[9][11]
United States
1968present
Angel
United States
19751981, 1987, 1998present
ngeles del Infierno
Spain
1978present
The Angels
Australia
1974-2000, 2008present
Angel Witch
United Kingdom
1977-1982, 1984-1998, 2000present
Anthem Japan
19801992, 2000present
Anthrax United States
1981present
Anvil
Canada 1978present
Armageddon
United Kingdom
19741976
Atomic Rooster
United Kingdom
19691975, 19801983
Atomkraft
United Kingdom
19791988, 2005
Attila United States
1969-1970
Bandmembers included Billy
Joel and Jon Small.
Axe
United States
1979-1984, 1997-2004
B[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Babe Ruth
United Kingdom
1970-1976, 2005present
Bang[12] United States
19701973, 20012004
Barnabas United States
1977-1986
Barn Rojo
Spain
1980present
Battleaxe
United Kingdom
19801988, 2010present
Bengal Tigers
Australia
1979present
Beowlf United States
19811995, 2000present
Birth Control
Germany 1966-1983, 1993-2014
Bitch
United States
1980present
First band to be signed by
the Metal Blade Records label.

Black Death
United States
1977present
The first allAfrican-American heavy metal band.
Black 'n Blue
United States
19811989, 1997, 2003, 2007present
Lead guitarist Tommy Thayer joined Kiss in 2003.
Black Rose
United Kingdom
1980-1989, 2006present
Black Sabbath[13]
United Kingdom
19682006, 2011present
Black Sabbath was formed by Ozzy Osbourne (lead vocals), Tony Iommi
(guitar), Geezer Butler (bass guitar), and Bill Ward (drums). Alcohol
abuse led to Ozzy Osbourne getting fired and replaced with former
Rainbow vocalist Ronnie James Dio. Black Sabbath is considered to be
the progenitor of doom metal.
Black Widow
United Kingdom
19661973, 2007present
Blitzkrieg
United Kingdom
19801981, 19841991, 19921994,
19961999, 2001present
Bloodrock
United States
19691975
Blue Cheer[14]
United States
19661972, 19741976, 19781979,
19841994, 19992009
Blue yster Cult[15]
United States
1967present
Bodine Netherlands
1978-1984
Boss
Australia
1979-1986
Bow Wow[16]
Japan
1976present
Also known as Vow Wow for
part of their career (19841990).
Bronz
United Kingdom
1976-1985, 1999-2000, 20032005, 2010present
Edgar Broughton Band
United Kingdom
19682010
Cited in
the 2010 BBC TV documentary Heavy Metal Britannia as a formative
influence on the genre in the UK.
Budgie[17]
United Kingdom
1967present
Buffalo[18][19] Australia
19711977
Bulldozer
Italy
19801990, 2008present
C[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Cactus[20]
United States
19701972, 2006present
Captain Beyond
United States
1971-1973, 1976-1978, 1998-2003
Chateaux United Kingdom
1981-1985
Cirith Ungol
United States
19721992
Cloven Hoof
United Kingdom
19791990, 2000present
Coven
United States
19691975, 20072008
Cream
United Kingdom
19661969
Crimson Glory
United States
19791992, 1998present
Crushed Butler
United Kingdom
1969-1971
D[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Dark Angel
United States
19811992, 20022005, 2013present
Death SS Italy
Dedringer
Deep Machine
Deep Purple
Def Leppard

1977-1984, 1988present
United Kingdom
1977-1985
United Kingdom
1979-1982, 2009present
United Kingdom
1968-1976, 1984present
United Kingdom
1977present
The band began as a

heavy metal outfit.

Demon
United Kingdom
1979present
Headlined the first British
Steel Festival in 2006.[21]
The Deviants
United Kingdom
19671969, 1978, 1984, 1996, 2002,
2011present
Singer and writer Mick Farren died on 27 July 2013.
Diamond Head
United Kingdom
19761985, 19911994, 2002present
Die Krupps
Germany 1980present
Divlje Jagode
Bosnia and Herzegovina
1977present
Dokken United States
19781989, 1993present
Dust
United States
1969-1972
Drummer Marc Bell joined The
Ramones in 1978.
E[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Earthshaker
Japan
1978-1994, 1999present
Easy Action
Sweden 19811986, 2006present
E.F. Band
Sweden 1979-1986
Electric Sun
Germany 1978-1986
Elf
United States
1967-1975
Ronnie James Dio on vocals.
Ethel the Frog
United Kingdom
1976-1980
Europe Sweden 19791992, 1999 (partial reunion), 2003present
The
band began as a heavy metal outfit.
Exciter Canada 1978present
Exodus United States
19801993, 19971998, 2001present
F[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Faith No More
United States
19791998, 2009present
Fallout United States
1979-1982
Fist
United Kingdom
1978-1982, 20012006
Flotsam and Jetsam
United States
1981present
Flower Travellin' Band[22]
Japan
19681973, 2007present
The Flying Hat Band
United Kingdom
19711974
Glenn
Tipton on vocals and guitar, later joined Judas Priest in 1974.
G[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Gamma
United States
19781983, 2000
Geordie United Kingdom
19721980, 19821985, 2001
Singer
Brian Johnson went on to join AC/DC in 1980, after the death of Bon
Scott.
Gillan United Kingdom
19781983
Girl
United Kingdom
1979-1982
Girlschool
United Kingdom
1978present
All-female band
formed during the new wave of British heavy metal.
Gordi
Serbia 19771984
Grand Funk Railroad[23][24][25]
United States
19681977, 1980
1983, 1996present
Grave Digger
Germany 19801987, 1991present
Gravestone
Germany 1977-1986
Great White
United States
19772001, 2002present
Grim Reaper
United Kingdom
19791988, 2006present

The Gun United Kingdom

1967-1970
H[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Sammy Hagar
United States
1967present
The Handsome Beasts
United Kingdom
1972present
Hanoi Rocks
Finland 19791985, 20012009
Hard Stuff
United Kingdom
19711973
Hawkwind United Kingdom
1969present
Headpins Canada 1979present
Heaven Australia
19802000
Heavy Load
Sweden 19761985
Heavy Metal Kids United Kingdom
1972-1985, 2002present Initially
featured actor Gary Holton on vocals.
Helix
Canada 1974present
The Jimi Hendrix Experience[26]
United Kingdom
19661970
High Tide
United Kingdom
19691970
Hollow Ground
United Kingdom
1979-1982, 2007, 2013
Holocaust
United Kingdom
1977present
Holy Moses
Germany 19801994, 2000present
I[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Icon
United States
19811990, 2008present
Iron Butterfly[22]
United States
1966present
Second
guitarist Erik Braunn died in 2003 of a heart attack. Original bassist
Lee Dorman died on 21 December 2012.
Iron Claw
United Kingdom
1969-1974, 1993, 2010present
Iron Maiden
United Kingdom
1975present
Iron Maiden
achieved success during the early 1980s. After several line-up
changes, the band went on to release a series of U.S. and UK platinum
and gold albums, including 1982's The Number of the Beast, 1983's
Piece of Mind, 1984's Powerslave, 1985's live release Live After
Death, 1986's Somewhere in Time and 1988's Seventh Son of a Seventh
Son.
J[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Jag Panzer
United States
19811988, 19942011
Jaguar United Kingdom
19791985, 1998present
Jameson Raid
United Kingdom
19751983, 2008present
Jerusalem
United Kingdom
1972present
Produced and
managed by Ian Gillan of Deep Purple. Early creators of Metal, Doom
and Stoner rock. Remastered vinyl and CD versions of original Decca,
Deram and Universal releases have been reissued by Rockadrome Records.
Josefus United States
19692005
JPT Scare Band
United States
1973present
Judas Priest
United Kingdom
1969present
K[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Kat
Poland 1979-1987, 1990-1999, 2002present
Kerber Serbia 1981present
Kick Axe Canada 19761988, 2003present

Killer Belgium 1980-present

Killer Dwarfs
Canada 19811995, 20012008
Killing Joke
United Kingdom
1978-1996, 2002present
King's X United States
1980present
Kiss
United States
1973present
Kix
United States
19771996, 2003present
Krokus Switzerland
1974present
L[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Leaf Hound
United Kingdom
1969-1971, 2004present
Leatherwolf
United States
1981present
Led Zeppelin[27] United Kingdom
19681980, 2007, 2011
Legs Diamond
United States
1975present
Leo
Spain
1978-1983
Leviticus
Sweden 19811990
Lionheart
United Kingdom
1980-1986
Living Death
Germany 1980-1991
London United States
19781981, 19841990, 2006present
Early lineups featured future members of Mtley Cre, Guns N' Roses,
W.A.S.P. and Cinderella.[28]
Lone Star
United Kingdom
19751978
Los Suaves
Spain
1980present
Loudness Japan
1980present
Lucifer's Friend[29]
Germany 19701982, 19931997
M[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Mahogany Rush
Canada 19701980, 1998present
Malice United States
1980-1989, 2006present
Yngwie Malmsteen Sweden 1978present
Mama's Boys
Ireland 19781993
Manilla Road
United States
1977-1990, 2001present
Manowar United States
1980present
Drummer Scott Columbus died
on 4 April 2011.
Marseille
United Kingdom
1976present
Max Webster
Canada 19731982
May Blitz
United Kingdom
19691972
MC5
United States
1963-1972, 1992, 2003-2012
Mentors United States
1977present
Mercyful Fate
Denmark 19811985, 19921999
King Diamond on
vocals.
Metal Church
United States
19801994, 19982009, 2012-present
Metallica
Burton died on
Ministry United
wave act.
Misfits United
Montrose United
More
United
Mtley Cre

United States
1981present
27 September 1986.
States
1981-2008, 2011present

Bassist Cliff
Started as a new

States
19771983, 1995present
States
19731976, 2005
Kingdom
19801982, 1985, 19982000, 2011present
United States
19812015

Motrhead
United Kingdom
19752015
Lemmy died on 28
December 2015.
Mountain[30]
United States
19691972, 19731974, 19811985,
19921998, 2001present
Moxy
Canada 1974-1983, 1999-2009
N[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Napalm Death
United Kingdom
1981present
Nazareth United Kingdom
1968present
Necromandus[22][31]
United Kingdom
19701973
The Next Band
United Kingdom
1978-1982
Nightmare
France 19791987, 1999present
Night Sun[32]
Germany 19701973
Nightwing
United Kingdom
19781987, 1996present
Ted Nugent[33][34]
United States
1975present
O[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
The Obsessed
United States
19761986, 19901995, 2011present
Ozzy Osbourne
United Kingdom
1980present
Ostrogoth
Belgium 19801988, 2002, 2010present
Overkill United States
1980present
Oz
Finland 1977-1991, 2010present
P[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Pagan Altar
United Kingdom
19781982, 2004present
Pantera United States
1981-2003
Pentagram
United States
19711976, 19781979, 1981present
Persian Risk
United Kingdom
19791986
Picture Netherlands
19791987, 19971999, 2007present
Pink Fairies
United Kingdom
1970-1976, 1987-1988
Praying Mantis
United Kingdom
1974present
Pretty Maids
Denmark 1981present
Primevil United States
1973-1974
Q[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Quartz United Kingdom
1974-1983, 1996, 2011
Queensrche[35] United States
1981present
Quiet Riot
United States
1975present
R[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Rainbow United Kingdom
19751984, 19931997
Guitarist Ritchie
Blackmore formed Rainbow in 1975 after leaving Deep Purple.
Ratt
United States
19761992, 1996Present
Raven
United Kingdom
1974present
Riot
United States
19751984, 19862012
Rock Goddess
United Kingdom
19771987, 19941995, 2009, 2015present
The Rods United States
1978-1986, 2008present

Rok Maina
Serbia 19801982
Rose Tattoo
Australia
19761987, 1993, 1998present
Uli Jon Roth
Germany 1968present
Rough Cutt
United States
19811987, 20002002
The Runaways
United States
19751979
Running Wild
Germany 19762009, 2011present
Rush
Canada 1968present
S[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Saber Tiger
Japan
1981present
Sacred Rite
United States
1980-1990
Saint
United States
19801989, 1999present
Saint Vitus
United States
19781996, 2003, 2008present
Salrio Mnimo
Brazil 19811990, 2002present
Salem
United Kingdom
19801983, 2009present
Paul Samson
United Kingdom
19782002
Satan
United Kingdom
19791988, 2005present
Savage United Kingdom
1976present
Savage Grace
United States
19811993, 2009-2010
Savatage United States
19782002
Previous members of the band
formed the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in 1996.
Saxon
United Kingdom
1976present
Michael Schenker Group
Germany 1979present
Scorpions
Germany 1965present
Shark Island
United States
1979-1992
Sir Lord Baltimore
United States
1968-1976, 2006present
Sister United States
19761978
Skitzo United States
1981present
Slayer United States
1981present
Sodom
Germany 1981present
Sorcery United States
1976-1987
Sortilge
France 19811986
Sound Barrier
United States
1980-1987
Spinal Tap
United States
1979present
Parody heavy metal
band which first appeared on TV in 1979, with American actors playing
the parts of fictional British musicians.
Spider United Kingdom
1976-1986
Stampede United Kingdom
1981-1983, 2009present
Starz
United States
19751979, 1980, 1990, 2003present
Steeler Germany 19811988
Steppenwolf
Canada/United States
1967present
The 1967
recording Born to Be Wild was one of the first rock songs to contain
the phrase "Heavy Metal" in its lyrics.
Stormwitch
Germany 19791994, 2002present
Stray
United Kingdom
1966present
Suck
South Africa
19701971
Suicidal Tendencies
United States
19811995, 1997present
Sweet Savage
United Kingdom
1979present
T[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary

Tank
United Kingdom
1980-1989, 1997present
Tarantula
Portugal 1981present
Tesla
United States
19811996, 2000present
Thin Lizzy
Ireland 19691984, 19962012
Thor
Canada 1978, 19831986, 1997present
TKO
United States
19772001
Toad
Switzerland
19701995
Tobruk United Kingdom
19811987
Trespass United Kingdom
19781982, 19921993, 2013-present
Triumph Canada 19751993, 2008present
Trooper Canada 1974present
Trouble United States
1979present
Trust
France 1977-1985, 1988, 1996-2000, 2006
TSA
Poland 1979present
Tucky Buzzard
United Kingdom
1969-1974
Turbo
Poland 1980present
Twisted Sister
United States
19721988, 1997present
Tygers of Pan Tang
United Kingdom
19781987, 1999present
Tytan
United Kingdom
1981-1983, 2012present
U[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
UFO
United Kingdom
19691988, 1992present
Urchin United Kingdom
1972-1980
Uriah Heep
United Kingdom
1969present
V[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
V8
Argentina
19791987
Vandenberg
Netherlands
19811987
Van Halen
United States
1972present
Vanilla Fudge[36]
United States
19671970, 19821984, 1987
1988, 1991, 1999present
Vardis United Kingdom
19731986, 2014present
Venom
United Kingdom
1979present
Vicious Rumors
United States
1979present
Virgin Steele
United States
1981present
Vulcain France 1981-1998, 2009present
W[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Warhorse[22]
United Kingdom
19701974, (partial reunions: 1985,
2005)
Warning France 1980-1985
Warpig Canada 19681975, 2004present
White Sister
United States
1980-1986, 2008-2009
Whitesnake
United Kingdom
19781990, 1994, 1997, 2002present
White Spirit
United Kingdom
1975-1981
White Wolf
Canada 1975-1986, 2007present
Wild Dogs
United States
1981present
Wild Horses
United Kingdom
19781981
Witchfinder General
United Kingdom
19791984, 20062008

Witchfynde
United Kingdom
19741984, 1999present
Wrathchild
United Kingdom
19801990, 2009present
Wrathchild America
United States
1978-1993
Y[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Y&T
United States
19741991, 1995present
Z[edit]
Name
Origin Years active
Brief summary
Zoetrope United States
1976-1993