Let us take a close look at the list top 10 most influential metal rock bands that have had significant influence in the metal music scene.

1.    Black Sabbath – As soon as you make your search for the top 10 performing bands, the Black Sabbath is the natural pick for top spot. For one, Black Sabbath is the first metal band and most have started by them.

2.    Judas Priest – This is another metal band straight from NWOBHM. Judas Priest was started by a pair of guitarist and is characterized by high pitch sounds. Judas Priest is easily one of the better bands from the metal music genre.

3.    Iron Maiden – This band also belongs to NWOBHM class and has delivered the greatest impact in the evolution of the music genre. Iron Maiden leads them all when it comes to catchy songs and blaring sounds.

4.    Motorhead – The Bomber, Overkill and the Ace of Spades are what come to mind when we talk of the Motorhead. Their metal sound is replete with wild play of base guitar and gritty vocals.

5.    Venom – This band is one of the strong forces of black and death metal. Their music has the strong influence of Slayer and other bands of the same orientation.

6.    Celtic Frost – This band is characterized as a pure gothic metal band. They are considered as the more influential personalities in the metal music genre.

7.    Manowar – This band is a straight power metal. Their performances are generally considered fantasy laden and are strong in the warrior elements that they project in their image as a metal band.

8.    Slayer – This band belongs to the big four that started thrash metal which also includes Megadeth, Anthrax and Metallica.

9.    Death – This band is one of the forerunners of death metal bands. Death has paved the way for the entry of later bands that include Napalm Death and Cannibal Corpse.

10.    Napalm Death – This death metal band rounds up our circle of ten most influential metal bands. Napalm Death is responsible for the creation of grind core and is the strong influence behind most doom and death metal bands that started during their time.

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