34 articles
Accept (band)
Accept is a German heavy metal band from Solingen, formed as Band X in 1968 and renamed Accept in 1971, known for Balls to the Wall, Metal Heart, and the speed-metal pioneer Fast as a Shark, currently fronted by Mark Tornillo with Wolf Hoffmann.
Anvil (band)
Anvil: Canadian heavy metal band formed 1978 in Toronto by Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner; Metal on Metal (1982) influenced Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax; revived by the 2008 documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil.
Armored Saint
Armored Saint is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1982, known for a bluesy, melodic style and the acclaimed 1991 album Symbol of Salvation.
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath is an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, credited with creating heavy metal.
Budgie (band)
Budgie: Welsh hard rock/heavy metal band from Cardiff, formed 1967 by Burke Shelley, Tony Bourge, and Ray Phillips (earlier Six Ton Budgie). Debut 1971 produced by Rodger Bain; influenced Metallica, Iron Maiden, Soundgarden; "Breadfan" covered by Metallica; active 1967-2010.
Cobra Spell
Cobra Spell is a Dutch heavy metal/hard rock band founded in 2019 by ex-Burning Witches guitarist Sonia Anubis; all-female by 2023, released EPs Love Venom and Anthems of the Night and debut album 666 on Napalm Records before a 2026 hiatus.
Coven (band)
Coven is an American occult rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, fronted by Jinx Dawson. Its 1969 debut Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls introduced devil horns, inverted crosses, and "Hail Satan!" to rock, predating Black Sabbath.
Diamond Head (group)
Diamond Head is an English heavy metal band formed in 1976 in Stourbridge, best known for the 1980 album Lightning to the Nations and its influence on Metallica.
Dio (band)
Dio was an American heavy metal band formed in 1982 by Ronnie James Dio after leaving Black Sabbath, with Vinny Appice, Jimmy Bain, and Vivian Campbell. Ten studio albums, Holy Diver platinum, disbanded 2010.
Exciter
Exciter is a Canadian speed metal band from Ottawa, Ontario, formed in 1978, whose 1983 debut Heavy Metal Maniac is counted among the first thrash metal albums.
Fozzy
Fozzy: American hard rock/heavy metal band formed 1999 in San Antonio, Texas, fronted by wrestler Chris Jericho (Moongoose McQueen) with ex-Stuck Mojo guitarist Rich Ward; began as cover band Fozzy Osbourne, went original with All That Remains (2005), known for the Gold single Judas.
Girlschool
Girlschool: British all-female heavy metal band (formed 1978 in south London, previously Painted Lady), NWOBHM pioneers behind Demolition and Hit and Run, and the Headgirl EP with Motörhead.
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in London in 1975 by bassist Steve Harris, and the leading band of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.
Judas Priest
Judas Priest is an English heavy metal band formed in Birmingham in 1969, known for Rob Halford's operatic vocals, dual lead guitars, and more than 50 million albums sold.
King Diamond (band)
King Diamond (band): Danish heavy metal band formed 1985 in Copenhagen by vocalist Kim Bendix Petersen after Mercyful Fate split; known for horror concept albums Fatal Portrait, Abigail, Them; Metal Blade; Gus G. replaced Andy LaRocque in 2026.
Lex Legion
Lex Legion is a Swedish heavy metal supergroup formed in 2026, reuniting four-fifths of King Diamond's late 1980s lineup (Mikkey Dee, Andy LaRocque, Pete Blakk, Hal Patino) with Pagan's Mind singer Nils K. Rue; their self-titled debut album arrived on MNRK Heavy in June 2026.
List of Dio members
List of Dio members: lineup history of the American heavy metal band Dio (1982-2010), formed by Ronnie James Dio after Black Sabbath, with Vivian Campbell, Jimmy Bain, Vinny Appice, Craig Goldy, and later members.
Loudness (ラウドネス) (band)
Loudness (ラウドネス) is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in Osaka in 1981 by ex-LAZY members Akira Takasaki and Munetaka Higuchi; first Japanese metal band on a US major label, with Thunder in the East reaching Billboard No. 74.
Manowar
Manowar is an American heavy metal band from New York, formed in 1980 by Joey DeMaio and Ross the Boss, known for Battle Hymns, Kings of Metal, epic mythology themes, and the loudest-band Guinness record.
Mercyful Fate
Mercyful Fate, Danish heavy metal band formed in Copenhagen in 1981 by King Diamond and Hank Shermann; first-wave black metal act known for Melissa (1983), Don't Break the Oath (1984), Satanic themes, and the PMRC Filthy Fifteen listing.
Metal Church
Metal Church is an American heavy metal band formed in San Francisco in 1980 by guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, later based in Aberdeen, Washington, and known for its 1984 self-titled debut.
Motörhead
Motörhead: English rock band formed in London in 1975 by Lemmy Kilmister after Hawkwind; loud, fast rock'n'roll that seeded speed and thrash metal; Ace of Spades, No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith; ended with Lemmy's death in 2015.
Ozzy Osbourne Band
Ozzy Osbourne Band: the backing group of the former Black Sabbath singer, formed as Blizzard of Ozz in 1979-80 with Randy Rhoads and Bob Daisley; guitarists Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, Zakk Wylde, Gus G; 13 albums; final show 2025.
Poison Ruïn
Poison Ruïn (also styled Poison Ruin) is a Philadelphia punk band formed in 2020 by Mac Kennedy, blending anarcho punk, dungeon synth, and black metal with medieval imagery; albums Härvest (2023) and Hymns From the Hills (2026) on Relapse Records.
Probot
Probot was Dave Grohl's one-off metal side project: he wrote and recorded instrumentals, and vocalists like Lemmy, Cronos, Max Cavalera, and King Diamond added lyrics. Self-titled album released February 10, 2004 on Southern Lord.
Riot City
Riot City is a Canadian heavy and speed metal band from Calgary, Alberta, formed in 2011, known for the albums Burn the Night and Electric Elite.
Samhain (band)
Samhain: American goth-punk band formed 1983 in Lodi, New Jersey by Glenn Danzig after the Misfits; released Initium, Unholy Passion, and November-Coming-Fire before being renamed Danzig in 1987.
Saxon (band)
Saxon is an English heavy metal band formed in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, one of the leading bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal alongside Iron Maiden.
Striker (band)
Striker is a Canadian heavy metal band from Edmonton, Alberta, formed in 2007. It won a Juno Award in 2020 for its album Play to Win.
Tailgunner (band)
Tailgunner is an English heavy metal band conceived in 2018 and launched in January 2022 by bassist Thomas Hewson, identified with the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal.