What band do you think should've been huge.... But wasn't

Lots of contenders!
Also, why do you think it didn't happen?

King’s X and Galactic Cowboys

I think King’s X didn’t get big because they were hard to categorize musically, and not enough advertising or record label push.

Galactic Cowboys were victims of promotional neglect and Geffen records prioritizing Nirvana. They also were too weird and different for the metal and thrash community. Monty Colvin said Overkill’s audience hated them when they were on tour.

A lot of people hate avant-garde groups. Faith No More was weird, but they had that big hit song and some decent MTV exposure. Saigon Kick too.

I’ll add Trouble and Savatage too.

Trouble should have been more successful with their Rick Rubin albums. Savatage were overlooked by weak promotion. I think maybe Jon’s voice was also a bit too crazy for the mainstream. Criss Oliva was a major talent like Randy Rhoads.

Marshall Law. Excellent British heavy metal band.

Lots of instantly memorable tracks and the vocals are top notch.

As a matter of fact, i am surprised that this band is unknown to many metalheads.

Tyketto! Tyketto!

Their timing was awful. Had they started 5-7 years earlier? Or 12-15 years later?

Among the greatest songwriting ever. They can't write a bad song.

Mindfunk

Babylon A.D. That album was so good!! Their label and management should have done so much more with them.

Gilbert wrote:

Marshall Law. Excellent British heavy metal band.

Really. I think more metal fans should have cherished this group. Or should have. Not sure if they are active anymore.

Lari wrote:

Gilbert wrote:

Marshall Law. Excellent British heavy metal band.

Really. I think more metal fans should have cherished this group. Or should have. Not sure if they are active anymore.

They disbanded a few years ago. That's one band i would love to see getting back together.

Gilbert wrote:

Marshall Law. Excellent British heavy metal band.

Lots of instantly memorable tracks and the vocals are top notch.

As a matter of fact, i am surprised that this band is unknown to many metalheads.

I have to say I don't think I've ever heard them. I'll have to check them out.

Warrior Soul

Killen!

In all seriousness, Demolition Hammer maybe should not have been big enough to reach household name status, but big enough to be near "Big 4" level big, if that makes sense.

Wildside- Tons better than a lot of the hair bands from the 80’s and early 90’s. They were just too late to the game.

Paragon. Such an underrated power metal act.

Unknown to many.

Megadeth.

Glower wrote:

Megadeth.

Megadeth are very successful. One or two notches under Metallica in popularity. With a peculiar voice like Dave’s, they probably exceeded expectations!

Savatage, Tyketto, Vain and in America Saxon.

Grim Reaper. Bad record deal prevented them from becoming bigger. They are one of my favorite bands though.

Man, lots of great choices!

My choice is Icon
Dig the "metal" on the debut
Dig the "pop hard rock" on the next one

They were fortunate to get a round two on a major label with a new singer.
(IMHDO) It isn't close to what they did prior.

Pentagram should have been a huge band IMO. I don't own all their stuff, but the cds I do have are all great. It's hard to write that though, because I think Bobby Liebling is a POS.

I think Satan should have been a bigger band too. I think they screwed up when they named themselves Satan. Then when you hear them, it's nothing like what your thinking they should sound like. I know from my point if view, I picked up their debut album on cassette way back when, thinking I was getting a band that would sound like Possessed, and got a band that sounded more like shit to my ears back then. I love them now, but back then the name was misleading and I never gave them a chance for years after that. I'm sure there are more kids out there back then that did the same thing. Then of course, just the name itself isn't going to get you far.

Another one that I think could have become a pretty big band is Kingston Wall. Talented three piece hard rock band that broke up after their lead singer/gutarist/song writer committed suicide. Three albums, to me all really freakin good, and I think word was getting around right around the time he died.

Speaking of Satan: the other Ramsey/English band, Skyclad, also should be much bigger than they are. Being the pioneers of folk metal, and all.

Lurideath wrote:

Grim Reaper. Bad record deal prevented them from becoming bigger. They are one of my favorite bands though.

Great band. I ordered Steve Grimmett's Personal Crisis on cd recently.

Since Wrecked mentioned Satan, the band Lucifer is going to fall into this category too.

nevermore wrote:

Since Wrecked mentioned Satan, the band Lucifer is going to fall into this category too.

Nice pun with “fall”…

Paragon!!!