100 Greatest British Heavy Metal Bands
Top 100 British Heavy Metal Bands
With every passing moment the heavy metal genre is getting bigger. This article is a showcase of the best British heavy metal bands.
The roots of heavy metal emerged in the 60s and 70s. Bands that paved the way for heavy metal established firm ground in United Kingdom and the United States. The heavy metal sound came into being as bands in the 60s and 70s experimented with a heavier sound that was influenced by blues and blues rock. The raw energy and adrenalin rush associated with heavy metal is like no other. This genre of rock music is known for its emphasis on heavy distorted guitars.
Complex riffs, growls, high pitched vocals and aggressive drumming styles have become an integral part of heavy metal music. The pioneering acts that helped bring heavy metal into prominence were Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Motorhead and Judas Priest.
As the ‘New Wave of British Heavy Metal’ emerged in the 70s the wings of this genre spread, helping many subgenres gain prominence. Bands such as Iron Maiden and Saxon continued with the traditional elements of heavy metal and also infused shades of speed riffing that later led to the emergence of speed metal and power metal.
Since the early 60s the heavy metal movement has grown tremendously. A number of subgenres of heavy metal have come to light bringing in a fresh new sound with musical elements rooted in heavy metal. The terms ‘metalheads’ and ‘headbangers’ are associated with fans of heavy metal music and over the years headbanging and moshing at concerts of extreme metal bands has reached another level. While the school of thought differs in regard with where and when heavy metal music originated, it a known fact the augmentation of heavy metal has its roots in United Kingdom. The British heavy metal scene in the 60s and 70s has been a defining moment in Heavy metal history. Since the early heavy metal days, British heavy metal bands have had a significant impact on fans globally. While heavy metal may never achieve mainstream status in the realms of rock music, it will remain one of the most popular subgenres of rock. One thing’s for sure… there will only be beginnings and no end to heavy metal.
The space below showcases an epic list of British heavy metal bands.
100 Greatest British Heavy Metal Bands
- Black Sabbath
- Deep Purple
- Judas Priest
- Motorhead
- Tygers of Pan Tang
- Diamond Head
- Angel Witch
- Iron Maiden
- Demon
- Venom
- Blitzkreig
- Saxon
- Black Rose
- High Tide
- Tokyo Blade
- Hell
- Grim Reaper
- Raven
- Tank
- Budgie
- Hawkwind
- Witchfinder General
- Girlschool
- Vardis
- Samson
- Battleaxe
- Fastway
- Hollow Ground
- Tytan
- UFO
- Fist
- Elixir
- Urchin
- A II Z
- Rainbow
- Def Leppard
- Nightwing
- Praying Mantis
- Treason
- Dedringer
- Paradise Lost
- Rekuiem
- Pagan Altar
- Atomic Mass
- Salem
- Ethel the Frog
- Marseille
- Napalm Death
- Starfighters
- Benediction
- Acid Reign
- Wolfsbane
- Carcass
- Satan
- Witchfynde
- Xentrix
- Iron Claw
- More
- Quartz
- Jaguar
- Bullet For My Valentine
- Atomkraft
- Necromandus
- Evile
- Cathedral
- Rock Goddess
- Deadfall
- Jameson Raid
- Shadowkeep
- Rogue Male
- Cloven Hoof
- Avenger
- Sweet Savage
- Thunder
- Wrathchild
- Trespass
- Seventh Angel
- Xerath
- Waysted
- Savage
- Holocaust
- Winterfylleth
- The More I See
- Persian Risk
- DragonForce
- Aftercocke
- Wodensthrone
- Chateaux
- Mama’s Boys
- The Defiled
- Skyclad
- Cradle of Filth
- Onslaught
- Shy
- Alestorm
- Sabbat
- Anaal Nathrakh
- Cancer
- Savage Messiah
- Malefice