# List of heavy metal bands

This is a list of heavy metal artists from the formative years of the movement (formed between 1963 and 1981). For bands formed after 1981, please consult the lists for each heavy metal subgenre.
In the late 1960s, a number of bands began pushing the limits of blues rock into a new genre which would be called heavy metal.
In 1981, three of the "Big Four" thrash metal bands emerged (Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax), to be joined on the scene in 1983 by Megadeth.

## Heavy metal bands formed between 1963 and 1981

| Name | Origin | Years active | Brief summary |
| 220 Volt | Sweden | 1979–present | |
| 44 Magnum | Japan | 1977–1989, 2002–present | |
| A II Z | United Kingdom | 1979–1982 | |
| Lee Aaron | Canada | 1980–present | Solo artist whose recorded output has spanned multiple genres, including heavy metal. |
| Accept | Germany | 1976–present | |
| The Accused | United States | 1981-2002, 2003–present | |
| AC/DC | Australia | 1973–present | |
| Aerosmith | United States | 1970–present | |
| Agnostic Front | United States | 1980-1992, 1997–present | |
| Alice Cooper | United States | 1968–present | |
| Angel | United States | 1975–1981, 1987, 1998–present | |
| Ángeles del Infierno | Spain | 1978–present | |
| Angel Witch | United Kingdom | 1977–1982, 1984–1998, 2000–present | |
| The Angels/Angel City | Australia | 1974–2000, 2008-present | |
| Anthem | Japan | 1980–1992, 2000–present | |
| Anthrax | United States | 1981–present | |
| Anvil | Canada | 1978–present | |
| Armageddon | United Kingdom | 1974–1976 | |
| Atomic Mass | United Kingdom | 1977, 2003 | |
| Atomic Rooster | United Kingdom | 1969–1975, 1980–1983, 2016–present | |
| Atomkraft | United Kingdom | 1979–1988, 2005 | |
| Attila | United States | 1969–1970 | Bandmembers included Billy Joel and Jon Small. |
| Axe | United States | 1979–1984, 1997–2004 | |
| Babe Ruth | United Kingdom | 1970–1976, 2005–present | |
| Bang | United States | 1969–1973, 2001–2004 | |
| Barnabas | United States | 1977–1986 | |
| Barón Rojo | Spain | 1980–present | |
| Battleaxe | United Kingdom | 1980–1988, 2010–present | |
| Bengal Tigers | Australia | 1979–present | |
| Beowülf | United States | 1981–1995, 2000–present | |
| Birth Control | Germany | 1966–1983, 1993–2014 | |
| Bitch | United States | 1980–present | First band to be signed by the Metal Blade Records label. |
| Black Death | United States | 1977–present | The first all-African-American heavy metal band. |
| Black 'n Blue | United States | 1981–1989, 1997, 2003, 2007–present | Lead guitarist Tommy Thayer joined Kiss in 2003. |
| Black Rose | United Kingdom | 1980–1989, 2006–present | |
| Black Sabbath | United Kingdom | 1968–2006, 2011–2017 | Black Sabbath was formed by Ozzy Osbourne (lead vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass guitar), and Bill Ward (drums). Alcohol abuse led to Ozzy Osbourne getting fired and replaced with former Rainbow vocalist Ronnie James Dio. Black Sabbath is considered to be the progenitor of doom metal, and, by extension, metal itself. |
| Black Widow | United Kingdom | 1966–1973, 2007–present | |
| Bleak House | United Kingdom | 1972–1983 | |
| Blind Illusion | United States | 1978–1989, 2009–present | |
| Blitzkrieg | United Kingdom | 1980–1981, 1984–1991, 1992–1994, 1996–1999, 2001–present | |
| Bloodrock | United States | 1969–1975 | |
| Blue Cheer | United States | 1966–1972, 1974–1976, 1978–1979, 1984–1994, 1999–2009 | One of the earliest heavy metal acts. Cited as a major influence on the genres of stoner rock and grunge. |
| Blue Öyster Cult | United States | 1967–present | |
| Bodine | Netherlands | 1978–1984 | |
| Boss | Australia | 1979–1986 | |
| Bow Wow | Japan | 1975–present | Also known as Vow Wow for part of their career (1984–1990). |
| Bronz | United Kingdom | 1976–1985, 1999–2000, 2003–2005, 2010–present | |
| Edgar Broughton Band | United Kingdom | 1968–2010 | Cited in the 2010 BBC TV documentary Heavy Metal Britannia as a formative influence on the genre in the UK. |
| Budgie | United Kingdom | 1967–present | |
| Buffalo | Australia | 1971–1977 | |
| Bulldozer | Italy | 1980–1990, 2008–present | |
| Cactus | United States | 1969–1972, 2006–present | |
| Captain Beyond | United States | 1971–1973, 1976–1978, 1998–2003 | |
| Chateaux | United Kingdom | 1981–1985 | |
| Cirith Ungol | United States | 1972–1992, 1996–2001, 2015–present | |
| Cloven Hoof | United Kingdom | 1979–1990, 2000–present | |
| Coven | United States | 1968–1975, 2007–present | |
| Crimson Glory | United States | 1979–1992, 1998–present | |
| Crushed Butler | United Kingdom | 1969–1971 | |
| Dayglo Abortions | Canada | 1979 - present | |
| Death SS | Italy | 1977–1984, 1988–present | |
| Dedringer | United Kingdom | 1977–1985 | |
| Deep Machine | United Kingdom | 1979–1982, 2009–2015 | |
| Deep Purple | United Kingdom | 1968–1976, 1984–present | |
| Def Leppard | United Kingdom | 1977–present | The band began as a heavy metal outfit. |
| Demon | United Kingdom | 1979–present | Headlined the first British Steel Festival in 2006. |
| The Deviants | United Kingdom | 1967–1969, 1978, 1984, 1996, 2002, 2011–present | Singer and writer Mick Farren died on 27 July 2013. |
| Diamond Head | United Kingdom | 1976–1985, 1991–1994, 2002–present | |
| Die Krupps | Germany | 1980–present | |
| Divlje Jagode | Yugoslavia / Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1977–present | |
| Dokken | United States | 1978–1989, 1993–present | |
| Doro | Germany | 1980–present | |
| Dust | United States | 1969–1972 | Drummer Marc Bell joined The Ramones in 1978. |
| Earthshaker | Japan | 1978–1994, 1999–present | |
| Easy Action | Sweden | 1981–1986, 2006–present | |
| E.F. Band | Sweden | 1978–1986 | |
| Electric Sun | Germany | 1978–1986 | |
| Elf | United States | 1967–1975 | Ronnie James Dio on vocals. |
| Ethel the Frog | United Kingdom | 1976–1980 | |
| Europe | Sweden | 1979–1992, 1999 (partial reunion), 2003–present | The band began as a heavy metal outfit. |
| Exciter | Canada | 1978–present | |
| Exodus | United States | 1979–1993, 1997–1998, 2001–present | The band had guitarist Kirk Hammett in its original lineup before he joined Metallica in 1983. |
| Faith No More | United States | 1979-1998, 2009–present | |
| Fallout | United States | 1979–1982 | |
| Fist | United Kingdom | 1978–1982, 2001–2006 | |
| Flotsam and Jetsam | United States | 1981–present | |
| Flower Travellin' Band | Japan | 1967–1973, 2007–present | |
| The Flying Hat Band | United Kingdom | 1971–1974 | Glenn Tipton on vocals and guitar, later joined Judas Priest in 1974. |
| Lita Ford | United States | 1975-1995, 2008–present | |
| Gamma | United States | 1978–1983, 2000 | |
| Geordie | United Kingdom | 1972–1980, 1982–1985, 2001 | Singer Brian Johnson went on to join AC/DC in 1980, after the death of Bon Scott. |
| Gillan | United Kingdom | 1978–1983 | |
| Girl | United Kingdom | 1979–1982 | |
| Girlschool | United Kingdom | 1978–present | All-female band formed during the new wave of British heavy metal. |
| Gordi | Yugoslavia | 1977–1984 | |
| Grand Funk Railroad | United States | 1968–1977, 1980–1983, 1996–present | |
| Grave Digger | Germany | 1980–1987, 1991–present | |
| Gravestone | Germany | 1977–1986 | |
| Great White | United States | 1977–2001, 2006–present | The band began as a heavy metal outfit. |
| Green Jellÿ | United States | 1981–1995, 2008–present | Comedy band. |
| Grim Reaper | United Kingdom | 1979–1988, 2006–present | |
| The Gun | United Kingdom | 1967–1970 | |
| Sammy Hagar | United States | 1967–present | |
| The Handsome Beasts | United Kingdom | 1972–present | |
| Hanoi Rocks | Finland | 1979–1985, 2001–2009, 2022 | |
| Hard Stuff | United Kingdom | 1971–1973 | |
| Hawkwind | United Kingdom | 1969–present | |
| Headpins | Canada | 1979–present | |
| Heaven | Australia | 1980–2000 | |
| Heavy Load | Sweden | 1976–1985 | |
| Heavy Metal Kids | United Kingdom | 1972–1985, 2002–present | Initially featured actor Gary Holton on vocals. |
| Helix | Canada | 1974–present | |
| Help | United States | 1970-1971 | |
| Jimi Hendrix | United States | 1963-1970 | As a part of The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Band of Gypsys, Hendrix was one of the pioneering proto-metal acts, with his feedback-heavy brand of acid rock. |
| High Tide | United Kingdom | 1969–1970 | |
| Hollow Ground | United Kingdom | 1979–1982, 2007, 2013 | |
| Holocaust | United Kingdom | 1977–present | |
| Holy Moses | Germany | 1980–1994, 2000–present | |
| Icon | United States | 1979–1990, 2008–present | |
| Iron Butterfly | United States | 1966–present | Second guitarist Erik Braunn died in 2003 of a heart attack. Original bassist Lee Dorman died on 21 December 2012. Drummer Ron Bushy died on 29 August 2021. |
| Iron Claw | United Kingdom | 1969–1974, 1993, 2010–present | |
| Iron Maiden | United Kingdom | 1975–present | Iron Maiden achieved success during the early 1980s. After several line-up changes, the band went on to release a series of U.S. and UK platinum and gold albums, including 1982's The Number of the Beast, 1983's Piece of Mind, 1984's Powerslave, 1985's live release Live After Death, 1986's Somewhere in Time and 1988's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. |
| Jag Panzer | United States | 1981–1988, 1994–2011 | |
| Jaguar | United Kingdom | 1979–1985, 1998–present | |
| Jameson Raid | United Kingdom | 1975–1983, 2008–present | |
| Jerusalem | United Kingdom | 1972–present | Produced and managed by Ian Gillan of Deep Purple. Early creators of Metal. Remastered vinyl and CD versions of original Decca, Deram and Universal releases have been reissued by Rockadrome Records. |
| Josefus | United States | 1969–2005 | |
| JPT Scare Band | United States | 1973–present | |
| Judas Priest | United Kingdom | 1969–present | |
| Kat | Poland | 1979–1987, 1990–1999, 2002–present | |
| Kerber | Serbia | 1981–present | |
| Kick Axe | Canada | 1976–1988, 2003–present | |
| Killer | Belgium | 1980–present | |
| Killer Dwarfs | Canada | 1981–1997, 2001–present | |
| Killing Joke | United Kingdom | 1978–1996, 2002–present | |
| King's X | United States | 1979–present | |
| Kiss | United States | 1973–2023 | |
| Kix | United States | 1977–1996, 2003–present | |
| Krokus | Switzerland | 1974–present | |
| Leaf Hound | United Kingdom | 1969–1971, 2004–present | |
| Leatherwolf | United States | 1981–present | |
| Led Zeppelin | United Kingdom | 1968–1980, 2007, 2011 | |
| Legs Diamond | United States | 1975–present | |
| Leño | Spain | 1978–1983 | |
| Leviticus | Sweden | 1981–1990 | |
| Lionheart | United Kingdom | 1980–1986 | |
| The Litter | United States | 1966-1972 | |
| Living Death | Germany | 1980–1991 | |
| London | United States | 1978–1981, 1984–1990, 2006–present | Early lineups featured future members of Mötley Crüe, Guns N' Roses, W.A.S.P. and Cinderella. |
| Lone Star | United Kingdom | 1975–1978 | |
| Los Suaves | Spain | 1980–present | |
| Loudness | Japan | 1980–present | |
| Lucifer's Friend | Germany | 1970–1982, 1993–1997, 2014–present | |
| Mahogany Rush | Canada | 1970–1980, 1998–present | |
| Malice | United States | 1980–1989, 2006–present | |
| Yngwie Malmsteen | Sweden | 1978–present | |
| Mama's Boys | Ireland | 1978–1993 | |
| Manilla Road | United States | 1977–1992, 1994–2018 | |
| Manowar | United States | 1980–present | Drummer Scott Columbus died on 4 April 2011. |
| Marseille | United Kingdom | 1976-1984, 2008-2014, 2017-2019 | |
| Max Webster | Canada | 1973–1982 | |
| May Blitz | United Kingdom | 1969–1972 | |
| MC5 | United States | 1964-1972, 1992, 2003-2012 | One of the earliest influences on the genre, as well as one of the earliest punk rock bands. |
| Mentors | United States | 1976–present | |
| Mercyful Fate | Denmark | 1981–1985, 1992–1999 | King Diamond on vocals. |
| Metal Church | United States | 1980–1994, 1998–2009, 2012–present | |
| Metallica | United States | 1981–present | Bassist Cliff Burton died on 27 September 1986. |
| Ministry | United States | 1981–2008, 2011–present | Started as a new wave act. Later known for Industrial metal/thrash music. |
| Misfits | United States | 1977–1983, 1995–present | |
| Montrose | United States | 1973–1976, 2005 | |
| More | United Kingdom | 1980–1982, 1985, 1998–2000, 2011–present | |
| Mötley Crüe | United States | 1981–2015, 2018–present | |
| Motörhead | United Kingdom | 1975–2015 | Lemmy died on 28 December 2015. |
| Mountain | United States | 1969–1972, 1973–1974, 1981–1985, 1992–1998, 2001–2010 | |
| Moxy | Canada | 1974-1983, 1999-2009 | |
| Napalm Death | United Kingdom | 1981-present | |
| Nazareth | United Kingdom | 1968–present | |
| Necromandus | United Kingdom | 1970–1973 | |
| The Next Band | United Kingdom | 1978–1982 | |
| Nightmare | France | 1979–1987, 1999–present | |
| Night Sun | Germany | 1970–1973 | |
| Nightwing | United Kingdom | 1978–1987, 1996–present | |
| Ted Nugent | United States | 1975–present | |
| The Obsessed | United States | 1976–1986, 1990–1995, 2011–present | |
| Ozzy Osbourne | United Kingdom | 1979–present | He is known as the first frontman of Black Sabbath. (1968-1979, reunion - 1998-2017) |
| Ostrogoth | Belgium | 1980–1988, 2002, 2010–present | |
| Overkill | United States | 1980–present | |
| Oz | Finland | 1977–1991, 2010–present | |
| Pagan Altar | United Kingdom | 1978–1982, 2004–present | |
| Pantera | United States | 1981–2003 | Started as a glam metal band. |
| Pentagram | United States | 1971–1976, 1978–1979, 1981–present | |
| Persian Risk | United Kingdom | 1979–1986 | |
| Picture | Netherlands | 1979–1987, 1997–1999, 2007–present | |
| Pink Fairies | United Kingdom | 1970–1976, 1987–1988 | |
| Pomaranča | Yugoslavia / Slovenia | 1979–1986, 1994–present | |
| Praying Mantis | United Kingdom | 1974–present | |
| Pretty Maids | Denmark | 1981–present | |
| Primevil | United States | 1973–1974 | |
| Quartz | United Kingdom | 1974–1983, 1996, 2011-present | |
| Queensrÿche | United States | 1981–present | |
| Quiet Riot | United States | 1975–present | |
| Rainbow | United Kingdom/United States | 1975–1984, 1993–1997, 2016–present | Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore formed Rainbow in 1975 after leaving Deep Purple. |
| Ratt | United States | 1976–1992, 1996–present | |
| Raven | United Kingdom | 1974–present | |
| Riot | United States | 1975–1984, 1986–present | |
| Rock Goddess | United Kingdom | 1977–1987, 1994–1995, 2009, 2015–present | |
| Rok Mašina | Yugoslavia | 1980–1982 | |
| Rose Tattoo | Australia | 1976–1987, 1993, 1998–present | |
| Uli Jon Roth | Germany | 1968–present | |
| Rough Cutt | United States | 1981–1987, 2000–2002 | |
| The Runaways | United States | 1975–1979 | |
| Running Wild | Germany | 1976–2009, 2011–present | |
| Rush | Canada | 1968–2017 | |
| Saber Tiger | Japan | 1981–present | |
| Sacred Rite | United States | 1980–1990 | |
| Saint | United States | 1980–1989, 1999–present | |
| Saint Vitus | United States | 1978–1996, 2003, 2008–present | |
| Salem | United Kingdom | 1979–1983, 2009–present | |
| Samson | United Kingdom | 1977–2002 | |
| Sarcofagus | Finland | 1977-2020 | |
| Satan | United Kingdom | 1979–1988, 2005–present | |
| Savage | United Kingdom | 1976–present | |
| Savage Grace | United States | 1981–1993, 2009–2010 | |
| Savatage | United States | 1978–2002, 2014–present | Previous members of the band formed the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in 1996. |
| Saxon | United Kingdom | 1976–present | |
| Michael Schenker Group | Germany | 1979–present | |
| Scorpions | Germany | 1965–present | |
| Seduce | United States | 1980–1991, 2002–2005, 2008, 2011, 2016–present | |
| Shark Island | United States | 1979–1992 | |
| Sir Lord Baltimore | United States | 1968–1976, 2006–present | |
| Sister | United States | 1976–1978 | |
| Skitzo | United States | 1981–present | |
| Slayer | United States | 1981-2019, 2024—present | |
| Sorcery | United States | 1976–1987 | |
| Sortilège | France | 1981–1986 | |
| Sound Barrier | United States | 1980–1987 | |
| Spider | United Kingdom | 1976–1986 | |
| Spinal Tap | United States | 1979–present | Parody heavy metal band which first appeared on TV in 1979, with American actors playing the parts of fictional British musicians. |
| Stampede | United Kingdom | 1981–1983, 2009–present | |
| Starz | United States | 1975–1979, 1980, 1990, 2003–present | |
| Steeler | Germany | 1981–1988 | |
| Steppenwolf | United States | 1967–2018 | The 1967 recording "Born to Be Wild" was one of the first rock songs to contain the phrase "Heavy Metal" in its lyrics. |
| The Stooges | United States | 1967-1971, 1972-1974, 2003–2016 | |
| Stormwitch | Germany | 1979–1994, 2002–present | |
| Stray | United Kingdom | 1966–present | |
| Suck | South Africa | 1970–1971 | |
| Suicidal Tendencies | United States | 1980–1995, 1997–present | |
| Sweet Savage | United Kingdom | 1979–present | |
| Tank | United Kingdom | 1980–1989, 1997–present | |
| Tarantula | Portugal | 1981–present | |
| Tesla | United States | 1981–1996, 2000–present | |
| Thin Lizzy | Ireland | 1969–1984, 1996–2012 | |
| Thor | Canada | 1976–1978, 1983–1986, 1997–present | |
| TKO | United States | 1977–2001 | |
| Toad | Switzerland | 1970–1995 | |
| Tobruk | United Kingdom | 1981–1987 | |
| Törr | Czechoslovakia | 1977–present | |
| Trance | Germany | 1977–1998, 2011–present | According to Manfred Meyer of Metal Hammer magazine, some would rank the band alongside Accept and Scorpions as the third most important hard rock band from Germany. |
| Trespass | United Kingdom | 1978–1982, 1992–1993, 2013–present | |
| Triumph | Canada | 1975–1993, 2008–present | |
| Trooper | Canada | 1974–present | |
| Trouble | United States | 1979–present | |
| Trust | France | 1977–1985, 1988, 1996–2000, 2006 | |
| Truth and Janey | United States | 1969-1976, 1977-1978 | |
| TSA | Poland | 1979–present | |
| T.S.O.L. | United States | 1978-2006, 2007–present | |
| Tucky Buzzard | United Kingdom | 1969–1974 | |
| Turbo | Poland | 1980–present | |
| Twisted Sister | United States | 1972–1988, 1997–2016 | |
| Tygers of Pan Tang | United Kingdom | 1978–1987, 1999–present | |
| Tytan | United Kingdom | 1981–1983, 2012–present | |
| UFO | United Kingdom | 1969–1988, 1992–present | |
| Urchin | United Kingdom | 1972–1980 | |
| Uriah Heep | United Kingdom | 1969–present | |
| V8 | Argentina | 1979–1987 | |
| Vandenberg | Netherlands | 1981–1987, 2020–present | |
| Van Halen | United States | 1972–2020 | Van Halen's combination of hard rock, heavy metal, and pop elements helped to popularize and mainstream the genre of hard rock music, and is known for changing the way we play guitar. The band disbanded in 2020 following Eddie Van Halen's death. |
| Vanilla Fudge | United States | 1967–1970, 1982–1984, 1987–1988, 1991, 1999–present | |
| Vardis | United Kingdom | 1973–1986, 2014–present | |
| Vatreni Poljubac | Yugoslavia / Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1977–1986, 1998–2001, 2010–present | |
| Venom | United Kingdom | 1979–present | Pioneers of the black metal genre, with their 1981 album Black Metal and subsequent releases. |
| Vicious Rumors | United States | 1979–present | |
| Virgin Steele | United States | 1981–present | |
| Vixen | United States | 1980–1992, 1997–1998, 2001–present | |
| Vulcain | France | 1981–1998, 2009–present | |
| Warlord | United States | 1980–1986, 2002, 2011–present | |
| Warning | France | 1980–1985 | |
| Warpig | Canada | 1968–1975, 2004–present | |
| White Sister | United States | 1980–1986, 2008–2009 | |
| Whitesnake | United Kingdom | 1978–1990, 1994, 1997, 2002–present | |
| White Spirit | United Kingdom | 1975–1981, 2022–2024 | |
| White Wolf | Canada | 1975–1986, 2007–present | |
| Wild Dogs | United States | 1981–present | |
| Wild Horses | United Kingdom | 1978–1981 | |
| Witchfinder General | United Kingdom | 1979–1984, 2006–2008 | |
| Witchfynde | United Kingdom | 1974–1984, 1999–present | |
| Wrathchild | United Kingdom | 1980–1990, 2009–present | |
| Wrathchild America | United States | 1978–1993 | |
| Y&T | United States | 1974–1991, 1995–present | |
| Zebra | United States | 1975–present | |
| Zoetrope | United States | 1976–1993 | |