What ONE band epitomizes the true essense of metal?

This is just an idea I got about the different genres of metal.

I'm interested in seeing what each of you think too, so please participate if you want to.

This is all 'opinion-only' based, so there is no reason for any arguing or fighting. It's how each of us sees things.

When it comes to metal, which ONE (and one only for the sake of this thread) band do you feel epitomizes the sound of each genre?

Just copy and paste the genres and select your own band!

And remember, this is NOT which band is your favorite ... but which you really feel best represents each category, regardless of how well you personally like them.

NWoBHM: Saxon

Traditional Heavy Metal: Dio

Glam Metal: Poison

American Styled Power Metal (Power/Thrash): Iced Earth

European Styled Power Metal (Melodic Power Metal): Heavenly

Progressive Metal: Symphony X

Hard Rock: Van Halen

Thrash: Testament

Death Metal: Cannibal Corpse

Melodic Death Metal: Scar Symmetry

Black Metal: Immortal

Melodic Black Metal: Emperor

Metalcore: Shadows Fall

I'm just going to stick with the term "metal" and leave it at that for now.

ONE band that epitomizes what "heavy metal" is?

Good choice S.D.!!!

NWoBHM: SATAN

Traditional Heavy Metal: Iron Maiden

Glam Metal: Def Leppard

American Styled Power Metal (Power/Thrash): Metal Church

European Styled Power Metal (Melodic Power Metal): Gamma Ray

Progressive Metal: Rush

Hard Rock: AC/DC

Thrash: Destruction

Death Metal: Death

Melodic Death Metal: Amorphis

Black Metal: King Diamond

Melodic Black Metal: Cradle of Filth

Metalcore: bleh

Doom metal: Candlemass

Their two bands that come to mind, Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, but if I could only chose one, then it would be Judas Priest.

Priest is the first band that comes to mind when I hear the term "metal".

"genre" ruined the actual enjoyment of music.....listen don't label

Your thread title doesn't fit when you say "ONE band then catergorize


Being a kid of the 70's....Sabbath and Priest do the trick.

Haford has that "metal" voice.....but it comes down to the rest of whats brought to the table !

Sabbath works for me

my .02

If forced to pick ONE band that, to me, defines Heavy Metal...it would be:



The adventure, the rawness, the heaviness, the riffs, the mood, the vibe, the diversity...Black Sabbath IS Heavy Metal.

My choice would be Maiden.

NWoBHM: Angel Witch

Traditional Heavy Metal: Iron Maiden

Glam Metal: Motley Crue

American Styled Power Metal (Power/Thrash): Metal Church

European Styled Power Metal (Melodic Power Metal): Blind Guardian

Progressive Metal: Fates Warning

Hard Rock: Twisted Sister

Thrash: Razor

Death Metal: Nile

Melodic Death Metal: Opeth

Black Metal: Immortal

Melodic Black Metal: No Comment

Metalcore: Lamb of God

Here's a few new categories:

Symphonic Metal: Sigh, Bal-Sagoth

Progressive Thrash Metal :Vektor

Sabbath!

METALLICA!

(Just kidding )

I don't think any one band can sum up any genre of metal because every metal band has ventured outside the bounds of "true metal" at some point.

Well if I had to choose, I guess I'd go with Maiden overall. I'm not even going to try and break it down by genre.

S.D. wrote:

I'm just going to stick with the term "metal" and leave it at that for now.

ONE band that epitomizes what "heavy metal" is?

That was my first thought.

The answer is Judas Priest. End of thread.

You know, if's coincidence, but this morning driving to work I was cranking "Screaming for Vengeance" and thinking to myself that this album and band defines a genre.


NWoBHM: Raven (or Venom)

Traditional Heavy Metal: Judas Priest

Glam Metal: Stryper

American Power Metal: Metal Church

European Power Metal: Helloween

Progressive Metal: Fates Warning

Hard Rock: KISS

Thrash: Slayer

Death Metal: Death

Melo-Death: Amorphis

Doom: Saint Vitus

Stoner: Trouble

Southern Rock: Molly Hatchet

Iron Maiden

James B. wrote:

"genre" ruined the actual enjoyment of music.....listen don't label

Every person on this board should memorize that bit of wisdom, truer words were never spoken.

S.D. wrote:

I'm just going to stick with the term "metal" and leave it at that for now.

ONE band that epitomizes what "heavy metal" is?

That's be my take on it too, with maybe Maiden being a close second. The thing with Priest that they've always embraced the label and never shied away from being called "heavy metal". Sure, for awhile there, Rob thought he was the new Trent Reznor, but he knows where his bread is buttered.

Sabbath could be up there too, but while they might acknowlege it now, for a long time, they just thought of themselves as heavy/hard rock.

S.D. wrote:

James B. wrote:

"genre" ruined the actual enjoyment of music.....listen don't label

Every person on this board should memorize that bit of wisdom, truer words were never spoken.

+2

my choices would be Maiden, Judas, Sabbath, Slayer & Morbid Angel

James B. wrote:

"genre" ruined the actual enjoyment of music.....listen don't label

There's some truth to that, that rigid adherence to musical rules across the board can stifle creativity, but genre labels are just an easy way to communicate about similar musical acts. Without them we would have a much harder time discussing music at all.

Temple of Blood wrote:

James B. wrote:

"genre" ruined the actual enjoyment of music.....listen don't label

There's some truth to that, that rigid adherence to musical rules across the board can stifle creativity, but genre labels are just an easy way to communicate about similar musical acts. Without them we would have a much harder time discussing music at all.

People might actually have to think and express themselves intelligently, I know that requires effort.

NWoBHM: Saxon

Traditional Heavy Metal: Judas Priest

Glam Metal: NONE

American Styled Power Metal (Power/Thrash): Sanctuary

European Styled Power Metal (Melodic Power Metal): Wolf

Progressive Metal: Symphony X

Hard Rock: Van Halen

Thrash: Sodom

Death Metal: Unleashed

Melodic Death Metal: At The Gates

Doom: Candlemass

Black Metal: Dark Funeral

Melodic Black Metal: Emperor

Metalcore: NONE

NWoBHM: Saxon

Traditional Heavy Metal: Judas Priest

Hard Rock: AC/DC

Thrash: Slayer