heavy metal music artists

296 published heavy metal music artists, led by Queen, Metallica and Red Hot Chili Peppers. The list below shows the 120 most famous.

At a glance

296 published heavy metal music artists; 1,645 studio albums have verified cover art.

Published artists12 tier 1 · 31 tier 2 · 253 tier 3: 296
Release groups: 9,595
Studio albums: 1,755
Albums with cover artverified Cover Art Archive: 1,645
Timeline events: 4,740
Monthly listenerssum across artists: 400.3M
Claimed salessum of stored claims; implausible values excluded: 925M
Average career spanfirst to last dated release: 31.8 years
Full biographies: 234
Biography words: 702,776

When they started

Debut decade from each artist's earliest dated release. Most debuts fell in the 1980s (77 artists).

Artists by debut decade
Decade	Artists
1960s	7
1970s	54
1980s	77
1990s	45
2000s	39
2010s	22
2020s	10

42 artists have no dated release or formation year and are not plotted.

Where they come from

Countries with the most heavy metal music artists. United States leads with 85.

Often paired with

Genres that share artists with heavy metal music. The most shared is hard rock, with 88 artists in both.

Covers from heavy metal music

1,645 studio albums have verified cover art. The 12 shown come from the most famous artists.

Made in Heaven
Queen · 1995
Le fleur du mal
Queen · 1992
In the Lap of the Queen
Queen · 1991
Innuendo
Queen · 1991
The Miracle
Queen · 1989
A Kind of Magic
Queen · 1986
The Works
Queen · 1984
Hot Space
Queen · 1982
The Game
Queen · 1980
Jazz
Queen · 1978
News of the World
Queen · 1977
A Day at the Races
Queen · 1976

Leaders

Queen has the most release groups (400); Alice Cooper the longest career (61 years); Red Hot Chili Peppers the most awards (40).

Most prolific

Most prolific, by number of release groups
Artist	release groups
Queen	400
Metallica	400
Kiss	399
Scorpions	356
Iron Maiden	339

Longest careers

first to last dated release

Longest careers, by number of years
Artist	years
Alice Cooper	61
Cream	60
Robert Plant	59
Heino	56
Steppenwolf	56

Most decorated

Most decorated, by number of awards
Artist	awards
Red Hot Chili Peppers	40
Ozzy Osbourne	16
Queen	12
Scorpions	8
Alice Cooper	8

Most famous heavy metal music artists

Queen

United Kingdom · Group · 1970–present

rock music, hard rock, pop rock, glam rock, progressive rock, art rock, traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music

51.6M listeners · 190 wikis

Metallica

United States · Group · 1981–present

heavy metal music, thrash metal

33.9M listeners · 130 wikis

Red Hot Chili Peppers

United States · Group · 1982–present

rock music, hard rock, classic rock, heavy metal music, rap rock, alternative rock, jazz fusion, funk rock, funk metal, alternative metal

46.4M listeners · 103 wikis

Aerosmith

United States · Group · 1969–present

hard rock, rock and roll, blues rock, glam rock, traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music

30M listeners · 84 wikis

Kiss

United States · Group · 1973–present

hard rock, glam rock, heavy metal music, glam metal, shock rock

19.3M listeners · 86 wikis

Ozzy Osbourne

United Kingdom · Person · born 1948

hard rock, traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music, glam metal, shock rock, doom metal

15.3M listeners · 106 wikis

Iron Maiden

United Kingdom · Group · 1975–present

traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music, new wave of British heavy metal

9.2M listeners · 107 wikis

Duran Duran

United Kingdom · Group · 1978–present

hard rock, pop rock, progressive rock, heavy metal music, alternative rock, art pop, synth-pop, electropop, new wave, electronic rock, New Romantic

16.4M listeners · 92 wikis

System of a Down

United States · Group · 1994–present

hard rock, heavy metal music, alternative metal, nu metal

26.7M listeners · 79 wikis

Scorpions

Germany · Group · 1965–present

hard rock, heavy metal music

20.7M listeners · 79 wikis

XXXTentacion

United States · Person · born 1998

contemporary R&B, heavy metal music, hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, rap rock, trap music, alternative rock, nu metal, rap metal, cloud rap, emo rap, SoundCloud rap, lo-fi music, punk rap, hardcore punk, trap metal, lofi hip-hop

31M listeners · 68 wikis

Soundgarden

United States · Group · 1984–2017

hard rock, heavy metal music, alternative rock, alternative metal, grunge, stoner metal

12M listeners · 65 wikis

More heavy metal music artists

Showing 1–108 of 108 artists

Disturbed

United States · Group · 1994–present

hard rock, heavy metal music, alternative metal, nu metal

19.9M listeners · 54 wikis · Tier 1

Avenged Sevenfold

United States · Group · 1999–present

heavy metal music, progressive metal, metalcore

12.6M listeners · 64 wikis · Tier 1

Europe

Sweden · Group · 1978–present

hard rock, heavy metal music, glam metal, speed metal

7.9M listeners · 60 wikis · Tier 2

Rob Zombie

United States · Person · born 1965

rock music, hard rock, heavy metal music, alternative metal, nu metal, shock rock, industrial metal, noise rock, groove metal, horror punk

7.5M listeners · 50 wikis · Tier 2

Motörhead

United Kingdom · Group · 1975–2015

hard rock, heavy metal music, speed metal

139 wikis · Tier 2

Bullet for My Valentine

United Kingdom · Group · 1998–present

hard rock, heavy metal music, emo, post-hardcore, screamo, melodic metalcore

6M listeners · 53 wikis · Tier 3

Staind

United States · Group · 1995–present

heavy metal music, alternative metal, nu metal, post-grunge

12.4M listeners · 35 wikis · Tier 1

Lordi

Finland · Group · 1992–present

hard rock, heavy metal music, shock rock, pop metal

143 wikis · Tier 2

Kid Rock

United States · Person · born 1971

rock music, country music, heavy metal music, hip-hop

6.4M listeners · 40 wikis · Tier 2

Ghost

Sweden · Group · 2006–present

hard rock, pop rock, progressive rock, heavy metal music, arena rock

9M listeners · 41 wikis · Tier 3

Meat Loaf

United States · Person · born 1947

rock music, hard rock, progressive rock, heavy metal music

60 wikis · Tier 2

Phoenix

Romania · Group · 1962–present

hard rock, folk rock, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, art rock, heavy metal music, world music

6.2M listeners · 11 wikis · Tier 3

Alice Cooper

United States · Person · born 1948

rock music, hard rock, classic rock, glam rock, traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music, glam metal, shock rock, garage rock

83 wikis · Tier 2

Jack Black

United States · Person · born 1969

rock music, hard rock, pop rock, heavy metal music, comedy rock

82 wikis · Tier 2

Judas Priest

United Kingdom · Group · 1969–present

traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music

82 wikis · Tier 2

Robert Plant

United Kingdom · Person · born 1948

hard rock, blues rock, folk rock, psychedelic rock, heavy metal music

74 wikis · Tier 2

Lars Ulrich

Kingdom of Denmark · Person · born 1963

heavy metal music, thrash metal

73 wikis · Tier 2

Bruce Dickinson

United Kingdom · Person · born 1958

traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music

70 wikis · Tier 2

Axl Rose

United States · Person · born 1962

rock music, hard rock, heavy metal music

66 wikis · Tier 2

Ronnie James Dio

United States · Person · born 1942

hard rock, blues rock, traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music

74 wikis · Tier 2

Cream

United Kingdom · Group · 1966–1968

rock music, hard rock, blues rock, psychedelic rock, heavy metal music, acid rock, jam band music

52 wikis · Tier 2

Lemmy

United Kingdom · Person · born 1945

rock music, hard rock, rock and roll, traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music, space rock, speed metal

69 wikis · Tier 2

Ritchie Blackmore

United Kingdom · Person · born 1945

rock music, hard rock, blues rock, traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music, new age music, Celtic music, medieval folk rock, neo-classical metal

56 wikis · Tier 3

Dave Mustaine

United States · Person · born 1961

heavy metal music, thrash metal, speed metal

65 wikis · Tier 2

Tony Iommi

United Kingdom · Person · born 1948

heavy metal music

55 wikis · Tier 3

Steve Harris

United Kingdom · Person · born 1956

traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music, electronica

54 wikis · Tier 3

Robert Trujillo

United States · Person · born 1964

heavy metal music, thrash metal

52 wikis · Tier 3

Gene Simmons

United States · Person · born 1949

heavy metal music

52 wikis · Tier 3

Gary Moore

United Kingdom · Person · born 1952

rock music, hard rock, blues rock, blues, progressive rock, traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music, jazz fusion

61 wikis · Tier 2

Ice-T

United States · Person · born 1958

heavy metal music, hardcore hip-hop, rap rock, gangsta rap, nu metal, rap metal, West Coast hip-hop, political hip-hop, old-school hip-hop, golden age hip-hop

49 wikis · Tier 3

Rob Halford

United Kingdom · Person · born 1951

traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music

48 wikis · Tier 3

Jason Newsted

United States · Person · born 1963

hard rock, traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music, thrash metal, progressive metal

46 wikis · Tier 3

Geezer Butler

United Kingdom · Person · born 1949

hard rock, heavy metal music

45 wikis · Tier 3

Adrian Smith

United Kingdom · Person · born 1957

heavy metal music

45 wikis · Tier 3

Anthrax

United States · Group · 1981–present

heavy metal music, thrash metal, alternative metal, speed metal, groove metal

53 wikis · Tier 3

X Japan

Japan · Group · 1982–1997

heavy metal music, progressive metal

51 wikis · Tier 2

Venom

United Kingdom · Group · 1979–present

heavy metal music, thrash metal, speed metal, black metal

51 wikis · Tier 3

Janick Gers

United Kingdom · Person · born 1957

heavy metal music

42 wikis · Tier 3

Dave Murray

United Kingdom · Person · born 1956

heavy metal music

42 wikis · Tier 3

Yngwie Malmsteen

Sweden · Person · born 1963

heavy metal music, neo-classical metal

48 wikis · Tier 3

Steppenwolf

United States · Group · 1967–present

hard rock, blues rock, psychedelic rock, traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music, acid rock

38 wikis · Tier 3

Klaus Meine

Germany · Person · born 1948

hard rock, heavy metal music

47 wikis · Tier 3

Shavo Odadjian

Soviet Union · Person · born 1974

rock music, heavy metal music, hip-hop, alternative metal

47 wikis · Tier 3

Bill Ward

United Kingdom · Person · born 1948

hard rock, heavy metal music

36 wikis · Tier 3

Accept

Germany · Group · 1968–present

heavy metal music

45 wikis · Tier 3

Henry Rollins

United States · Person · born 1961

heavy metal music, hardcore punk

45 wikis · Tier 3

Paul Di'Anno

United Kingdom · Person · born 1958

heavy metal music

34 wikis · Tier 2

Glenn Tipton

United Kingdom · Person · born 1947

heavy metal music

34 wikis · Tier 3

Godsmack

United States · Group · 1995–present

hard rock, heavy metal music, alternative metal, nu metal, post-grunge

43 wikis · Tier 3

K. K. Downing

United Kingdom · Person · born 1951

heavy metal music

33 wikis · Tier 3

HammerFall

Sweden · Group · 1993–present

heavy metal music, power metal

42 wikis · Tier 3

Clive Burr

United Kingdom · Person · born 1957

traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music

32 wikis · Tier 2

Blue Öyster Cult

United States · Group · 1967–present

hard rock, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music, acid rock, occult rock

41 wikis · Tier 3

Mastodon

United States · Group · 2000–present

heavy metal music, progressive metal, sludge metal

40 wikis · Tier 3

Steve Jones

United Kingdom · Person · born 1955

hard rock, heavy metal music, Q3071

30 wikis · Tier 3

Alex Lifeson

Canada · Person · born 1953

hard rock, progressive rock, heavy metal music, alternative rock

30 wikis · Tier 3

Ian Hill

United Kingdom · Person · born 1952

traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music

30 wikis · Tier 3

Scott Travis

United States · Person · born 1961

heavy metal music

30 wikis · Tier 3

Twisted Sister

United States · Group · 1972–2016

heavy metal music, glam metal

39 wikis · Tier 2

Marco Hietala

Finland · Person · born 1966

heavy metal music, symphonic metal

39 wikis · Tier 3

Dimebag Darrell

United States · Person · born 1966

heavy metal music

38 wikis · Tier 2

Tommy Lee

Greece · Person · born 1962

rock music, heavy metal music, glam metal, nu metal, rap metal

38 wikis · Tier 3

Trivium

United States · Group · 1999–present

heavy metal music, thrash metal, progressive metal, melodic metalcore

38 wikis · Tier 3

Hide

Japan · Person · born 1964

heavy metal music

38 wikis · Tier 2

Blaze Bayley

United Kingdom · Person · born 1963

hard rock, traditional heavy metal, heavy metal music

28 wikis · Tier 3

Steve Clark

United Kingdom · Person · born 1960

heavy metal music

27 wikis · Tier 2

Saxon

United Kingdom · Group · 1975–present

heavy metal music

36 wikis · Tier 3

Iced Earth

United States · Group · 1985–present

heavy metal music, thrash metal, power metal

36 wikis · Tier 3

Brad Whitford

United States · Person · born 1952

hard rock, blues rock, heavy metal music

26 wikis · Tier 3

W.A.S.P.

United States · Group · 1982–present

heavy metal music, glam metal

35 wikis · Tier 3

Dee Snider

United States · Person · born 1955

heavy metal music

35 wikis · Tier 3

Devin Townsend

Canada · Person · born 1972

heavy metal music, ambient music, industrial metal, progressive metal

35 wikis · Tier 3

Gamma Ray

Germany · Group · 1988–present

heavy metal music, speed metal, power metal

35 wikis · Tier 3

Powerwolf

Germany · Group · 2003–present

heavy metal music, power metal

35 wikis · Tier 3

Emppu Vuorinen

Finland · Person · born 1978

heavy metal music, symphonic metal

35 wikis · Tier 3

Lita Ford

United Kingdom · Person · born 1958

hard rock, heavy metal music, glam metal

34 wikis · Tier 3

Sebastian Bach

Canada · Person · born 1968

hard rock, heavy metal music

33 wikis · Tier 3

King Diamond

Kingdom of Denmark · Person · born 1956

heavy metal music

32 wikis · Tier 3

Phil Campbell

United Kingdom · Person · born 1961

hard rock, rock and roll, heavy metal music

32 wikis · Tier 2

Kai Hansen

Germany · Person · born 1963

heavy metal music

32 wikis · Tier 3

Aynsley Dunbar

United Kingdom · Person · born 1946

rock music, hard rock, blues rock, blues, jazz, glam rock, heavy metal music

22 wikis · Tier 3

Annihilator

Canada · Group · 1984–present

heavy metal music, thrash metal

31 wikis · Tier 3

Nevermore

United States · Group · 1991–present

heavy metal music, thrash metal, progressive metal, power metal

30 wikis · Tier 3

David Draiman

United States · Person · born 1973

hard rock, heavy metal music, alternative metal, nu metal

30 wikis · Tier 3

Vince Neil

United States · Person · born 1961

hard rock, heavy metal music, glam metal

30 wikis · Tier 3

Dennis Stratton

United Kingdom · Person · born 1952

heavy metal music

21 wikis · Tier 3

Hiro Yamamoto

United States · Person · born 1961

heavy metal music, alternative rock

20 wikis · Tier 3

Volbeat

Denmark · Group · 2001–present

hard rock, rockabilly, heavy metal music

29 wikis · Tier 3

Heino

Germany · Person · born 1938

hard rock, heavy metal music, schlager music

28 wikis · Tier 3

Quiet Riot

United States · Group · 1973–present

hard rock, heavy metal music, glam metal

27 wikis · Tier 3

Mikkey Dee

Sweden · Person · born 1963

hard rock, heavy metal music

27 wikis · Tier 3

Bob Ezrin

Canada · Person · born 1949

rock music, hard rock, pop rock, progressive rock, heavy metal music

27 wikis · Tier 3

Dave Holland

United Kingdom · Person · born 1948

hard rock, heavy metal music

18 wikis · Tier 2

Metal Church

United States · Group · 1980–present

heavy metal music, thrash metal, power metal

26 wikis · Tier 3

Bob Rock

Canada · Person · born 1954

rock music, pop music, hard rock, heavy metal music, Q3071, new wave

26 wikis · Tier 3

Primal Fear

Germany · Group · 1997–present

heavy metal music, power metal

26 wikis · Tier 3

Diamond Head

United Kingdom · Group · 1976–present

heavy metal music, new wave of British heavy metal

25 wikis · Tier 3

Girlschool

United Kingdom · Group · 1978–present

heavy metal music, new wave of British heavy metal

25 wikis · Tier 3

Grave Digger

Germany · Group · 1980–present

heavy metal music, power metal

25 wikis · Tier 3

Krokus

Switzerland · Group · 1975–present

hard rock, heavy metal music

25 wikis · Tier 3

Ratt

United States · Group · 1976–present

hard rock, heavy metal music, glam metal

25 wikis · Tier 3

Matt Heafy

Japan · Person · born 1986

heavy metal music, extreme metal

25 wikis · Tier 3

Shawn Drover

Canada · Person · born 1966

heavy metal music, thrash metal

25 wikis · Tier 3

Igor Pablo Cavalera

Brazil · Person · born 1970

electronic music, heavy metal music, hip-hop, alternative metal, groove metal, death metal

25 wikis · Tier 3

Les Binks

United Kingdom · Person · born 1951

heavy metal music

15 wikis · Tier 2

Running Wild

Germany · Group · 1976–present

heavy metal music, power metal

24 wikis · Tier 3

Savatage

United States · Group · 1978–present

heavy metal music, progressive metal, power metal

24 wikis · Tier 3

Andre Matos

Brazil · Person · born 1971

heavy metal music

23 wikis · Tier 3

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