what is the best old metal band?

Answer 1

black sabbath, or motorhead

Answer 2

It depends on what you're asking.

As this is an opinion question, there is no correct answer as there is no actual way to measure the quality of a group. What is not enjoyed by someone could be loved by someone else, and vice versa.

Since we're dealing with "old" metal, I'll set the limit as bands that orginated between the years of 1965 and 1985.

In terms of composition, the metal group with the greatest melodic or otherwise memorable sense is Metallica (between Kill 'Em All and ...And Justice For All). They created great crushing rhythms, but at the end of the day, it isn't entirely impossible to imagine hearing songs like Damage Inc. and For Whom The Bell Tolls as lounge-jazz elevator music.

In terms of musicianship, the current metal scene has many great musicians, but as we're dealing within a certain time frame, Megadeth wins easily. While they weren't as compositionally or melodically blessed as Metallica, Megadeth always had a greater musical proficiency (compare the complex interweaving drum patterns of Gar Samuelson or Nick Menza to the more primal one-hit-at-a-time approach of Lars Ulrich for a better understanding of the above.)

In terms of a ratio of speed and accuracy, Slayer is undoubtedly king. Playing at speeds well over 200BPM and accurately reproducing in stadiums and amphitheatres the complex solos and rhythm patterns made evident on their studio records, few if any other bands from this period could compete. For a testament to Slayer's greatness, listen to the 1991 live release Decade Of Aggression, which was recorded without any overdubs. There are a few imperfections, but considering the degree of difficulty that playing music of this nature for such a long period of time (an hour and a half) presents, a show like this will not be perfect.

And of course, in terms of originality, one could say that the metal genre itself would not exist if it were not for Black Sabbath. Others cite Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple as further founders of the genre, but both have more of a footing in blues. Sabbath's first record had some blues elements but these were mostly outgrown by their sophomore effort, 1970's "Paranoid."

However, if you want to get really philosophical here, the word best, in utilitarianistic terms, means "what is considered the greatest good for the most people." As such, the best selling of these acts is Metallica, who statistics show as the 7th greatest selling act in the world. However, considering that their success peaked at a time when they strayed from metal and became aligned with more commercial music, it is up to the reader to dissect if their recent glories should entitle them to be considered the best at a genre that they abandoned, or at best, neglected.

Answer 3

AC/DC: At the worst time in their rising wave of success, they lost frontman Bon Scott to DNA (drugs and alcohol). A career ender for most bands, like Led Zepplin, AC/DC took two years off to get through the tragedy, hired their chief roadie to pick up the mic....and the band came back with a driven fury that still to this day rocks on!!

Answer 4

Pantera
Metallica
Megadeth
Black Sabbath
Ministry

Answer 5

Metallica

Answer 6

metallica
guns n' roses
van halen
acdc
Motley Crue
Scorpions
warrant
skid row
Bon Jovi
Cinderella
Def Leppard
Europe
iron maiden
poison
dokken
firehouse
great white
kiss
kix
la guns
ratt
quiet riot
winger
whitesnake

Answer 7

It depends on your definition of metal......so many bands that are not metal get called metal. But as far as real METAL, my favorite one would be Metallica.

Answer 8

Quiet Riot

Answer 9

Danzig

Answer 10

Pantera-they actually started in the early eighties not in the ninties like everyone says.

Answer 11

I'd say Metallica, but then i also would say Pantera, White Zombie, Queensryche, Anthrax...