National Metal Day - Top 11 Live Metal Bands!

Last year, 11/11/11 was National Metal Day! A day to celebrate hard rock and heavy metal by turning it up to 11! Why?...Because "it's one louder" (Spinal Tap)! While promoted "heavily" in the heavy metal scene as well as an impressive all-day-long celebration on VH1 Classic, sadly, it remained a one-time-only event. As a metal fan, I hope that National Metal Day will continue to be celebrated on November 11th every year and I celebrate this day by blogging about some of the best live metal bands in heavy metal music today. More than any other genre of music, heavy metal lends itself to the grandeur and over-the-top theatricality live on stage. With bands like Black Sabbath, KISS, Metallica and Iron Maiden, hard rock and heavy metal bands undoubtedly put on some of the best shows ever! If you've ever been to a heavy metal show you know what I'm talking about. In honor of National Metal Day, CHERNOBOG'S BLOG PRESENTS: The Top 11 LIVE Metal bands!

#11 GWAR - With elaborate, bizarre and often gruesome costumes and makeup, GWAR's graphic stage performances often feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo themes with everything from satirizing and mutilating effigies of current political figures and celebrities. Since 1984 the band has been inciting audiences with their extreme brand of shock rock and have appeared on a number of talk-shows during the 1990's. Despite the death of lead guitarist Cory Smoot a.k.a. Flattus Maximus, last year, the band continues to proudly shock and offend the heavy metal world.


Rammstein's "Fire-Suit"

#10 Rammstein - Innovators of German Neue Deutsche Härte/Industrial metal, Rammstein has a "flare" for the dramatic in utilizing a wide range of elaborate costumes, props and of course pyrotechnics! At times, Lead singer Till Lindemann wears a  metal "fire-suit" and sings while engulfed in flames. Rammstein gained world-wide fame and acclaim in the late 1990's with their 1997 album Sehnsucht which featured popular hits such as "Engel" and Du Hast".

#9 SLAYER- The most extreme heavy/thrash-metal band in the world, Slayer is known for their speed, intensity and aggressive style. Drawing from intense imagery and lyrics laced with violent and anti-religious imagery, Slayer has been known for their highly-controversial music. With screaming lyrics from frontman Tom Araya and Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman's wild dual guitar solos, Slayer has earned it's place among thrash metal's 'Big Four' which also includes Anthrax, Megadeth and Metallica.

#8 Rob Zombie - Formerly the lead singer for White Zombie (1985-1998), Rob Zombie (a.k.a. Robert Cummings) has been a major part of the growing industrial metal scene. Heavily influenced by horror and sci-fi movies and the music of Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie has become a highly successful musician, film/TV/animation director, producer and screenwriter. Rob Zombie released his first solo album in 1998, Hellbilly Deluxe and has since then released 4 studio albums, several remix and compilation albums and four major films including House of 1,000 Corpses (2003), The Devil's Rejects (2005) and the remakes of the Halloween franchise: Halloween (2007) and Halloween II (2009). His latest film, The Lords of Salem is set to be released in 2013.

Alice Cooper

#7 Alice Cooper - Since the late 1960's, Alice Cooper (the original band and the man, a.k.a. Vincent Furnier) has been terrorizing the world of rock music with their own unique brand of "shock rock". With elaborate stage shows, Alice Cooper utilizes a grand theatrical style featuring such elements as guillotines, electric chairs, blood, real-live boa constrictors, and dismembered baby dolls on stage! After Alice Cooper released his first solo album with 1975's Welcome To My Nightmare, began a whole new era of horror that would span the decades making Alice Cooper one of the most influential figures in hard rock and heavy metal today alongside Ozzy Osbourne.

#6 Black Sabbath - The originators of the Heavy Metal sound, four young men from Birmingham, England formed a band in 1969 and with the release of Black Sabbath (1970) and changed heavy metal music forever! Since their original lineup until 1979 which included Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, Geezer Butler and of course Ozzy Osbourne, the band has gone through several lead singers in their 40-year history including highly-popular singer Ronnie James Dio, along with Ian Gillan, Glenn Hughes, Ray Gillen and Tony Martin. While the band has reunited and broken up on several occasions including a reunion with Ozzy in 1997 and then with Dio in 2006 also forming the side-band Heaven & Hell, most of the original members have reunited (unfortunately except for drummer Bill Ward) yet again for another tour. Black Sabbath relied heavily on the energy and reaction from the crowd brought on originally by singer Ozzy's natural showmanship and then later with Dio's performance-centered presence. The band has rarely used much over-the-top stage elements aside from heavily-used crucifixes symbols and fire effects, Sabbath has always been more focused on the music and crowd-pleasing tactics. Black Sabbath will ALWAYS be the #1 metal band!

KISS

#5 KISS - The originators of theatrical "shock rock", despite their appearance, KISS has always been more of hard rock than a heavy metal band, utilizing a more traditional rock & roll style music, KISS relies heavily on their unique make-up designs, costumes and stage shows. Formed in the early 1970's KISS has been dubbed "The Hottest Band in the World!" Although the original lineup including Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Chris has changed over the years (with only Paul and Gene as the remaining original members), KISS has retained a huge following despite their decline in the early 1980's and their years without make-up until their reunion in 1996. With their use of pyrotechnics, fireworks, wire-work and not to mention Gene's blood-spitting and tongue. KISS remains the most popular rock band in the world with the highest commercial success thanks to their huge line of merchandising properties.

#4 Metallica - One of the most popular and successful heavy metal bands in the world, Metallica has been known for their energetic and crowd pleasing shows since their beginning in 1983. With sold-out shows and their knack for notorious year-long touring, Metallica has developed a huge fan base despite their decline in the late 1990's due to their changing image and developing music style. Though the band has been through a number of lineup changes; the most significant being the death of bassist Cliff Burton in 1986 and the departure of bassist Jason Newstead in 2000 and recruitment of Robert Trujillo in 2003.

#3 Motörhead - The LOUDEST band in the world! Motörhead has been turning up the volume since their debut in 1975. Frontman and bassist Lemmy Kilmister is the ideal rock star and is idolized by many in the rock community and whose band is regarded as one of the most influential of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands to emerge out of the late 70's.

#2 Ozzy Osbourne - The Godfather of Heavy Metal! Ozzy Osbourne is heavy metal personified, The Prince of Darkness himself has had a hugely successful solo career since he was fired from Black Sabbath in 1979. With some of the most virtuoso guitar players at his side like the late Randy Rhoads and until recently Zakk Wylde, Ozzy has brought heavy metal mainstream. Despite his crazier years in the 80's which was filled with onstage antics such as biting the head off a bat or wearing spangled-jump suits. From teenage-criminal to rock star, deadbeat to metal superstar, reality TV dad and metal god Ozzy Osbourne is the quintessential live metal show.

#1 Iron Maiden - THE most popular heavy metal band in the world! Iron Maiden was one of the first bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal to make it to worldwide acclaim. With current frontman Bruce Dickinson at the helm and their ever-present mascot Eddie making crowds of thousands cheer all over the world, Iron Maiden is truly the #1 Best Live Heavy Metal Band! With Dickinson's natural showmanship and ability to please the crowd, Iron Maiden always puts on a great show! Don't believe me...just watch this trailer from the documentary Iron Maiden: Flight 666:

Happy National Metal Day! Rock on \m/

LINKS: National Metal Day on Facebook

11-11-11 National Metal Day: Top 11 Metal Bands

11-11-11 is National Metal Day! Because of the efforts of VH1 Classic and Facebook, Heavy Metal finally get's a day all it's own, a day to bask in all things METAL and headbang till your neck hurts! Heavy Metal has been a growing genre of music for the last 40 years and with bands like Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Metallica, heavy metal has become one of the most popular forms of music today. As a die hard heavy metal fan, CHERNOBOG'S BLOG proudly presents the Top 11 Metal Bands...Why 11? Because "it's one louder than 10!"



#11 Anthrax - Formed in New York City in 1981, these Thrash Metal pioneers broke new ground in speed and intensity and were also one of the first metal bands to embrace rap and hip-hop music with their collaboration with Public Enemy ("Bring the Noise"). Now part of the so-called "Big Four", being the founders of American thrash metal alongside Slayer, Megadeth and Metallica. Despite the band's numerous lineup changes, the band has recently released a new album (Worship Music) reuniting with vocalist Joey Belladona, who was with the band during the band's heyday in the 1980's. Favorite Album: Among the Living (1987)

#10 Pantera - Although these Texas headbangers started out in 1981 as part of the glam scene, as the 90's dawned, they used their speed and power to incorporate a more hardcore style into their music and became one of the biggest heavy metal bands ever! Founded in Arlington, Texas; brothers Vinnie Paul and Darrell "Dimebag" Abbott joined with bassist Rex Brown and vocalist Phil Anselmo in 1988. Unfortunately the band would soon break-up in 2003 due to the conflicts between the Abbott brothers and the always outspoken Anselmo who had gone onto producing several side projects with Down and Superjoint Ritual. The brothers would then form Damageplan in 2004, but their new found success would be short lived with the untimely death of "Dimebag" Darrell in December of 2004, when he was shot onstage in Columbus, Ohio by a deranged fan.
Favorite Album: Vulgar Display of Power (1992)

#9 Motörhead - Considered to be one of THE LOUDEST bands in the world, Motörhead was one of the originators of modern heavy metal along with the "New Wave of British Heavy Metal". Formed in 1975, they fused hard rock and punk to create a sound all of their own. Frontman Lemmy Kilmister's signature growl also made him one of the most recognizable voices in heavy metal. Although the band has been through many lineup changes over the years Lemmy has been the only consistent member and the constant driving force of the band. Their latest album The Wörld Is Yours featured a slow blues version of their classic "Ace of Spades".
Favorite Album: Ace of Spades (1980)

#8 Megadeth - When guitarist Dave Mustaine was booted out of Metallica in 1983 he founded his own band with bassist David Ellefson and brought to the world of heavy metal their own unique style of speed and intensity thrash metal laced with strong political themes. Although Megadeth has suffered through some tough times and several lineup changes including Dave Ellefson's departure from the band in 2002 and his reunion in 2009. Megadeth is included in metal's "Big Four" alongside Anthrax, Slayer, and Metallica. Their latest album Thirte3n, is Megadeth's 13th studio album.
Favorite Album: Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? (1985)

#7 Dio - Before replacing Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath, Ronnie James Dio was a member in several bands during the 1970's including Elf and Rainbow. But when Dio joined Sabbath in 1979 and with the release of 1980's Heaven and Hell, it began a new chapter for the heavy metal pioneers! After his departure from Black Sabbath in 1982, Dio embarked on a successful solo career. A powerful singer, Dio is credited with creating the famous "devil horns" hand signal which would be adopted by all metal fans and sparking the "Power Metal" sub-genre of heavy metal. Dio would soon reunite with members of Black Sabbath as Heaven & Hell and performed with them until his death from stomach cancer on May 16, 2010.
Favorite Album: Holy Diver (1981)

#6 Slayer - Slayer is the most EVIL metal band of the "Big Four"...and that's how they like it! Originally named Dragonslayer, Slayer was founded in 1981 in Huntington Park, California by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman. Bass player Tom Araya provides the screaming vocals on the soundtrack to Hell with albums such as Show No Mercy (1983), Hell Awaits (1985), Reign In Blood (1986) and South of Heaven (1988). Their most ominous named album God Hates Us All was coincidentally released on September 11th, 2001. Their latest and 10th studio album World Painted Blood was released in 2009.
Favorite Album: Reign In Blood (1986)

#5 Judas Priest - No other metal band has been so influential in both the sound, style and look of heavy metal than Judas Priest! Formed in Birmingham, England in 1969, Judas Priest began the movement which would be known as the "New Wave of British Heavy Metal" in the 1970's, after releasing albums like Sad Wings of Destiny (1976) and Hell Bent for Leather (1978), they soon earned mainstream success in the 1980's with album's such as British Steel (1980) and Screaming for Vengeance (1982). Vocalist Rob Halford joined the band in 1974, bringing his signature high-pitched, operatic, vocal stylings to their evolving sound thus earning him the moniker of "Metal God"! His trademark style of dress including leather, whips and chains would become a heavy metal tradition despite it's origins with Halford's sexual orientation. Even though Halford left the band in 1991 to pursue other projects, Halford reunited with Judas Priest in 2003 and continues to tour all over the world bringing metal to the masses!
Favorite Album: Screaming For Vengeance (1982)

#4 Iron Maiden - As part of the "New Wave of British Heavy Metal" Iron Maiden began in London in 1975 with bassist and songwriter Steve Harris. Although the band started out with several singers including Paul Di'Anno on their first two albums: Iron Maiden (1980) and Killers (1981) it wasn't until singer Bruce Dickinson joined the band in 1982 that the band achieved major success with gold and platinum albums such as The Number of the Beast (1982) and Powerslave (1983). Although Dickinson left the band in 1993, he rejoined in 1999 sparking a new era for the band with the album Brave New World (2000). Iron Maiden's most recent album, The Final Frontier (2010) earned them a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for "El Dorado".
Favorite Album: The Number of the Beast (1982)

James Hetfield of Metallica

#3 Metallica - Founded in 1981 in San Francisco, California by guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, Metallica's unique form of thrash metal took the world by storm with their heaviness and speed. From their meager, independent beginnings to world-wide, mainstream success Metallica has been constantly evolving both in style and sound. Through many changes (Load and ReLoad), trials (Napster) and tribulations, and bass players (i.e. Ron McGovney, Cliff Burton (R.I.P.), Jason Newstead and now Robert Trujillo), Metallica has grown into THE most popular heavy metal band today!  Their latest album Death Magnetic (2008) went double platinum and their latest collaboration project with singer-songwriter Lou Reed called Lulu (http://www.loureedmetallica.com/) was released on November 1st, 2011. Recently, Metallica has been on tour around the world with other bands of the "Big Four" including Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax. Metallica was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.
Favorite Album: Master of Puppets (1984)

#2 Ozzy Osbourne - After he was fired from Black Sabbath in 1979, Ozzy, with the help of his then manager/now wife Sharon, began a successful solo career which earned him the title of the "Godfather of Heavy Metal" and the "Prince of Darkness". Along with virtuoso guitarist Randy Rhoads, Ozzy rose to the top with the release of Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of the Madman (1981). Despite the untimely death of Randy Rhoads, Ozzy continued to make heavy metal history throughout the 1980's and 1990's alongside talented guitar players such as Jake E. Lee, Zakk Wylde with albums such as Bark at the Moon (1983), The Ultimate Sin (1986) and No More Tears (1991) and now with Ozzy's current guitarist Gus G. on his latest album Scream (2010).
Favorite Album: Blizzard of Ozz (1980)

Black Sabbath

 

#1 Black Sabbath - Originally named Earth, the band who would soon become Black Sabbath are the originators of Heavy Metal! Formed in 1968 in Birmingham, England by guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, drummer Bill Ward, and singer Ozzy Osbourne; with their bluesy, down-tuned sound and doom-and-gloom style Black Sabbath single-handedly created a new form of hard rock. With their debut album simply titled Black Sabbath (1970), followed by Paranoid (1970), Black Sabbath gave birth to heavy metal. Later with multiple platinum albums such as Master of Reality (1971) and Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath (1973), the band would receive world-wide fame and later earning the title of The "Greatest Metal Band of All Time" and also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Through their multiple line-up changes which ould include vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, Ronnie James Dio and others, guitarist Tony Iommi Favorite Album: Paranoid (1970)