Black Sabbath
Who Are The Top 20 Metal Bands Of All Time?
Depends who you ask and how they define who is metal or just hard rock. For example, many agree that Metalica, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest are metal, but KISS, AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses are not metal.
That is how the authors of the new book ‘The Merciless Book of Metal Lists‘ see it in one of several indexes they compiled for this release set for April 9, 2013 by Abrams Image.
Howie Abrams and Sacha Jenkins’ book features numerous compilations of bests (songs, guitarists, album covers featuring goats) and worsts (embarrassing metal videos, metal fashion faux pas’).
80′s metal fans will also surely appreciate unconventional lists such as: ’10 Reasons Why EVERYONE Loves Slayer’s ‘Reign In Blood” and ’10 Accomplishments Iron Maiden Would Never Have Achieved had Paul Di’Anno Remained Their Singer’.
One of the lists sure to spark some debate is ’20 of the Greatest Metal Voices.’ They nailed the top three (my opinion) and Queensryche’s Geoff Tate certainly deserves a top five appearance:
1. Ronnie James Dio (Black Sabbath, Dio)
2. Rob Halford (Judas Priest)
3. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
4. Eric Adams (Manowar)
5. Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche)
6. King Diamond (Mercyful Fate, King Diamond)
7. Tom Araya (Slayer)
8. John Bush (Armored Saint/Anthrax)
9. James Hetfield (Metallica)
10. Max Cavalera (Sepultura, Soulfly)
In an interview with the New York Times, Abrams said Dio was the unanimous choice for the top spot because he had a virtuosity that set him far apart from other top metal vocalists.
“If he needed to apply darkness, he could do it,” said Abrams. “If he needed to belt and go to a higher range, he could. He replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath, and I’m not sure there was a taller task for a vocalist. He did it with ease and grace, and he may have improved on what Oz did in the first place.”
‘The Merciless Book of Metal Lists’ is a fun read. I especially enjoyed viewing the artwork from ’200 Embarrassingly Bad Album Covers’… Anthrax took the top two spots with ‘State of Euphoria’ and number one ‘Fistful of Metal.’
Emerging from the blues and psychedelic rock of the 1960s and ’70s, heavy metal has been a driving force in music for nearly 50 years — known for its massive sound, extended guitar solos, and unrelenting intensity.
Despite being critically reviled throughout its history, metal has stood the test of time with bands such as Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Mötley Crüe achieving legendary status, unfathomable wealth and exerting a profound influence on generations of musicians and fans. Unlike many forms of popular music, whose followers are fickle and transitory, metalheads tend to embrace their favorite bands and follow them over decades. Metal is not only a pastime — it’s a lifestyle.
Written by veteran rock journalists Jon Wiederhorn and Katherine Turman, “Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History Of Metal” (It Books; May 14, 2013; Hardcover; $32.50) was assembled from more than 300 interviews with members of Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, Van Halen and many others, conducted over a 25-year span. Turman and Wiederhorn dug deep into their extensive list of contacts to uncover never- before-heard stories, eye-opening admissions and the truth behind metal’s most explosive legends. With an introduction by Scott Ian of Anthrax and an afterword by Rob Halford of Judas Priest, this is the book metal fans have been waiting for.
Icons of the genre offer candid and confessional commentary, including: Ronnie James Dio, Ozzy Osbourne, Bruce Dickinson, Eddie Van Halen, Vince Neil, Tommy Lee, Lita Ford, Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Axl Rose, Slash, Dave Mustaine, King Diamond, Kerry King, Philip Anselmo and more. The many musicians interviewed offer their take on their influences, touring, the music business and songwriting, as well as their often-traumatic upbringings, battles with substance abuse and bizarre sexual exploits. Industry insiders (including managers, record label executives, family members, friends, scenesters, groupies, journalists and porn stars) provide additional insight.
“Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History Of Metal” explores the transformation of metal culture, with stories and anecdotes straight from the mouths of the most infamous and successful bands. Filled with hundreds of revealing interviews representing every type and era of heavy metal — from metal progenitors such as Blue Cheer, Led Zeppelin, and the MC5 to current day innovators — “Louder Than Hell” is the ultimate look behind the curtain at one of our most dynamic, controversial and enduring musical genres.
Alice Cooper: “This is the book every metal fan should own. A fascinating high-octane chronicle of metal mayhem that takes readers on a wild ride, from metal’s earliest days to the headbanging present. I’m not saying this just because I’m in the book, but . . . if you love metal, great stories, and music history told by the people who made it, then ‘Louder Than Hell’ is a must-read.”
It’s that time of year… NAMM 2013!!!
(1/24/13) Day 1 started off very well for METAL SHOP Rocks. Getting to the Anaheim Convention Center was a breeze and very limited traffic. I was able to secure my Golden Ticket (Media Badge) and made a bee line to the Schecter booth to secure a pass for the Saturday night party.
Walking in to the Schecter Guitar booth, the first person I saw was guitarist Gary Holt from EXODUS!!! I was able to chat with him for a few seconds and he let us take a few pictures with him (see below).
Next, the good folks at DR Strings where having a meet and greet with BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler! The line to see him was very long line, but I was able to make my way to the front and collect a quick hello and autograph.
Near the end of the day, I hung out at the Samson Hartke Zoom (AKA Sams on Technologies) booth, where they were holding an autograph session with Geezer Butler, LITA FORD, Frank Bello from ANTHRAX, Billy Sheehan from Mr. Big and a few other musicians.
Just walking around, enjoying the show was bassist Mark (The Animial) Mendoza from TWISTED SISTER. We spoke for a few minutes and took some photos (see below).
It was a great first day at NAMM 2013. Stay tuned for the rest of the weekend and be sure to check out the available product lines of the companies noted here… they are the ones making this happen for us! -Ralph
(1/25/13) Day 2 of NAMM 2013 started off at the Ampeg booth for a meet and greet with AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams. After I introduced myself to him, I asked if AC/DC are working on a new album and he said he couldn’t talk about it with a very coy smile????
Later, I was able to catch JUDAS PRIEST drummer Scott Travis and STRYPER drummer Robert Sweet taking in all the new products by Paiste Cymbals. They were both cool allowing us to take a few photos.
It was also perfect timing as Nicko McBrain (IRON MAIDEN), Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX), Dave Lombardo (SLAYER) and Nigel Glockler (SAXON) showed up for a meet and greet with fans. I was even able to catch them sharing cookies that Nicko had in his Jacket Pocket… very funny moment.
More photos have been added below. -Ralph
(1/26/13) For Day 3 at NAMM 2013, it was a day of meeting many artists walking around the convention floor.
First stop was Jackson guitars for a meet and greet with Chris Broderick and David Ellefson from MEGADETH and Scott Ian from ANTHRAX. As we made our way through the massive crowd, we ran into Shawn Drover (MEGADETH), Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.), Mikkey Dee (MOTÖRHEAD), Bjorn Englen (DIO DISCIPLES), Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX), Kerry King (SLAYER), Frank Hannon (TESLA), Eddie Jackson (QUEENSRŸCHE), Frankie Banali (QUIET RIOT), Nicko McBrain (IRON MAIDEN), Rob Trujillo (METALLICA) and non-metal musical legend Stevie Wonder, who had a mob of people walking with him everywhere he went… it was an amazing sight.
Unfortunately, I was not able to see MÖTLEY CRÜE’s Nikki Sixx because there were way too many people in line and if I had waited in line for him, I would have missed everyone mentioned here.
It was a exciting time meeting all the big 80′s metal stars. Check out the new photos added to the gallery below. -Ralph
(1/27/13) Well, NAMM 2013 has come and gone 
… Day 4 was more of a relax day at NAMM … not too many folks and it was easy to walk around the convention center. Dean Guitars was the booth to be at for a meet and greet with Dave Mustaine from MEGADETH. I was able to finally meet Dave and get a autograph!!!
In all, the 4 days where a big success and looking forward to NAMM 2014. I want to thank The Lippin Group for the media badge, Dean and Schecter Guitars for the passes to their parties and a Big Thank You to all the companies that make NAMM happen!!!!! Hope to see you all soon!!!! You Rock!!
New Zealand Herald: “It’s a really weird thing,” says the singer, who turns 64 next week, “because what we did, we just did. We didn’t go, ‘Oh, we’re going to write this way, and we’re going to record that way, and it’s going to come out like this’. And 45 years up the road who would have thought it’s still going to be current and people were going to look upon it as the foundations of heavy metal?”
But then Osbourne, who’s in a chatty mood on the phone from Los Angeles ahead of Sabbath’s return to New Zealand next April for the first time in 40 years, is also still trying to get his head around that term “heavy metal”. He can’t stand it. “Because not everything Black Sabbath did was about the devil, or about heavy metal because Changes was a beautiful song. But all they ever remember is that I sing about the devil and Iron Man, you know.”
On new Sabbath material: “It’s been more than 30 years since I really seriously worked with the guys. We had a try a few years back but nothing came of it. But for some reason the timing is right and we’ve done about 15 songs. Black Sabbath is very unique in the respect that nothing is formulated. It’s very unpredictable. I just hope the people who have waited all these years aren’t disappointed.”
Rolling Stone: Metal fans are a very passionate bunch. They’re also very opinionated, so when we asked them to vote for their favorite metal albums we expected a huge response. We also expected a big debate about the very definition of “heavy metal.” Some metal fans say that groups like Led Zeppelin and Guns N’ Roses are metal. Others think that’s completely insane. We aren’t here to settle these debates. We’re merely here to count the votes.
- Metallica – ‘Master of Puppets’
- Black Sabbath – ‘Paranoid’
- Black Sabbath – ‘Black Sabbath’
- Iron Maiden – ‘The Number of the Beast’
- Metallica – ‘. . . And Justice for All’
- Slayer – ‘Reign In Blood’
- Guns N’ Roses – ‘Appetite for Destruction’
- Metallica – ‘Metallica’ (The Black Album)
- Led Zeppelin – ‘Led Zeppelin II’
- Metallica – ‘Ride the Lightning’
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