Best Bands by Style
Death · Black · Thrash · Doom · Heavy · Progressive · Power · Technical · Speed · Folk · Symphonic · Gothic · Grindcore · Brutal · Sludge · Ambient · Industrial · Experimental · Stoner · Funeral · Viking · Pagan · Deathcore · Metalcore
137Death
97.533Evoken
96.6159Death
96.230Esoteric
96.125Intestine Baalism
96.037Demilich
95.826Lykathea Aflame
95.693Immolation
95.488Bolt Thrower
95.3108Suffocation
95.1122Katatonia
95.057Insomnium
94.651Atheist
94.647Possessed
94.544Ulcerate
94.567Gorguts
94.530Orphaned Land
94.498Amorphis
94.344Akercocke
94.3201Darkthrone
94.360Incantation
94.271Dying Fetus
94.244Kalmah
94.296Vader
94.133Defeated Sanity
94.162Entombed
94.1206Opeth
94.032Sarcófago
94.032The Chasm
94.022Ceremonial Castings
94.0174Cannibal Corpse
94.026Disembowelment
94.082Autopsy
93.899My Dying Bride
93.829Spawn of Possession
93.847Septicflesh
93.8107Carcass
93.729Misery Index
93.734Deeds of Flesh
93.620Malignancy
93.520Daylight Dies
93.563Hypocrisy
93.522Sacramentum
93.498Nile
93.432The Crown
93.451Obscura
93.361Swallow the Sun
93.332The Gathering
93.322Dead Congregation
93.365The Black Dahlia Murder
93.226Triptykon
93.251Arsis
93.1134Deicide
93.032Deceased
93.025Anata
93.054Dismember
93.041Necrophobic
92.920Blasphemy
92.877Paradise Lost
92.890Cattle Decapitation
92.722Mourning Beloveth
92.723Persefone
92.7143Morbid Angel
92.779Dissection
92.661Cynic
92.621Dragged into Sunlight
92.525Impetigo
92.553Origin
92.547Necrophagist
92.420Horrendous
92.433Teitanblood
92.426Theatre of Tragedy
92.433Exhumed
92.425Mr. Bungle
92.343Absu
92.353Belphegor
92.250Blood Incantation
92.224Disillusion
92.287At the Gates
92.2138Napalm Death
92.233Draconian
92.220閃靈
92.2144Sepultura
92.1165Behemoth
92.124Tribulation
92.126Mercenary
92.134Protector
92.034Melechesh
92.062Bloodbath
92.0117Cryptopsy
92.0124Amon Amarth
92.023Hour of Penance
92.038Nocturnus
92.024Haggard
91.832Wormed
91.8123Cradle of Filth
91.8103Dark Tranquillity
91.862Therion
91.757Devourment
91.623Hooded Menace
91.644The Faceless
91.526Monstrosity
91.549Krisiun
91.421Mithras
91.335Novembers Doom
91.365Decapitated
91.366Anathema
91.320Thanatos
91.222Terrorizer
91.284Obituary
91.255Malevolent Creation
91.121In Mourning
91.123Bølzer
91.026The Red Chord
91.045Edge of Sanity
91.030Macabre
90.953Strapping Young Lad
90.9115Children of Bodom
90.950Asphyx
90.933Sadus
90.938Psycroptic
90.825Novembre
90.823Nunslaughter
90.839Tiamat
90.722Benighted
90.724Extol
90.720Torture Squad
90.729God Dethroned
90.621Mors Principium Est
90.662Sentenced
90.621Gorefest
90.551Portal
90.423Vomitory
90.385Wintersun
90.320October Tide
90.338Decrepit Birth
90.223Antestor
90.029Archspire
107Black
96.2113Bathory
95.963Moonsorrow
95.494Emperor
95.240Paysage d'Hiver
94.859Primordial
94.8115Enslaved
94.889Ulver
94.735Panopticon
94.671Sigh
94.644Inquisition
94.429The Ruins of Beverast
94.344Akercocke
94.349Arcturus
94.3201Darkthrone
94.272Rotting Christ
94.157Leviathan
94.1105Agalloch
94.1125Marduk
94.1130Immortal
94.081Deathspell Omega
94.020An Axis of Perdition
94.032Sarcófago
94.022Ceremonial Castings
94.066Nokturnal Mortum
93.937Bal-Sagoth
93.968Wolves in the Throne Room
93.987Summoning
93.872Blut aus Nord
93.761Graveland
93.723Lunar Aurora
93.640Falkenbach
93.6124Sodom
93.687Anaal Nathrakh
93.541Samael
93.522Sacramentum
93.437Mgła
93.444Carach Angren
93.323Vreid
93.357Borknagar
93.329Sabbat
93.226Triptykon
93.254Taake
93.144Deströyer 666
93.130Windir
93.027Kampfar
93.041Necrophobic
92.931Negură Bunget
92.920Blasphemy
92.820Oranssi Pazuzu
92.721Desaster
92.7144Burzum
92.779Dissection
92.7104Gorgoroth
92.629Limbonic Art
92.645Shining
92.630Varathron
92.637Judas Iscariot
92.426Sargeist
92.441Impaled Nazarene
92.433Teitanblood
92.4101Drudkh
92.343Absu
92.320Root
92.322Obsequiae
92.351Abigor
92.353Belphegor
92.228Bethlehem
92.224Dødheimsgard
92.224Darkspace
92.220閃靈
92.1165Behemoth
92.034Melechesh
91.922Nortt
91.920Hellripper
91.8123Cradle of Filth
91.855Dark Funeral
91.736Hate Forest
91.737Peste Noire
91.7168Mayhem
91.623Spectral Lore
91.680Xasthur
91.621Cultes des Ghoules
91.524Funeral Mist
91.521Midnight
91.429Krallice
91.430Arckanum
91.320Furia
91.338Old Man's Child
91.245Woods of Ypres
91.223Tsjuder
91.124Батюшка
91.123Bølzer
91.022Svartsyn
90.934Mütiilation
90.822Urgehal
90.722Benighted
90.721Аркона
90.720Katharsis
90.731Behexen
90.786Venom
90.623Velvet Cacoon
90.622Lord Belial
90.445Watain
90.428Forgotten Tomb
90.223Antestor
90.131Naglfar
90.023Fen
62Thrash
96.2113Bathory
96.134Morbid Saint
95.052Vektor
94.675Voivod
94.651Atheist
94.622Watchtower
94.647Possessed
94.644Inquisition
94.296Vader
94.0160Kreator
94.032Sarcófago
94.052Demolition Hammer
94.052Metal Church
93.947Heathen
93.840Vio-lence
93.744Coroner
93.6124Sodom
93.545Artillery
93.561Dark Angel
93.432The Crown
93.340Forbidden
93.329Sabbat
93.325Toxik
93.2115Overkill
93.144Deströyer 666
93.032Deceased
93.042Razor
92.922Angel Dust
92.721Desaster
92.661Cynic
92.4218Slayer
92.425Mr. Bungle
92.343Absu
92.347Flotsam and Jetsam
92.220Amebix
92.245Tankard
92.2144Sepultura
92.134Protector
91.825Exhorder
91.7126Exodus
91.721Sabbat
91.7247Megadeth
91.723Power Trip
91.4104Anthrax
91.4113Meshuggah
91.423Whiplash
91.320Thanatos
91.3141Iced Earth
91.222Discharge
91.224Sacrifice
91.159Warbringer
91.030Macabre
90.953Strapping Young Lad
90.933Sadus
90.877Destruction
90.761Death Angel
90.724Extol
90.720Torture Squad
90.7130Testament
90.620Paradox
90.137Evile
90.159Onslaught
61Doom
97.533Evoken
96.529Acid Bath
96.230Esoteric
95.960Type O Negative
95.441Ahab
95.2192Black Sabbath
95.294Candlemass
95.1122Katatonia
95.140Saint Vitus
95.021Pagan Altar
94.530Orphaned Land
94.498Amorphis
94.429The Ruins of Beverast
94.3201Darkthrone
94.221Yob
94.1105Agalloch
94.127Solitude Aeturnus
94.026Disembowelment
93.899My Dying Bride
93.637Pentagram
93.620Skepticism
93.520Daylight Dies
93.574Electric Wizard
93.361Swallow the Sun
93.332The Gathering
93.226Triptykon
93.250Cathedral
92.920Bell Witch
92.877Paradise Lost
92.840High on Fire
92.722Mourning Beloveth
92.621Dragged into Sunlight
92.426Theatre of Tragedy
92.336Sleep
92.228Bethlehem
92.233Draconian
92.131Reverend Bizarre
91.922Nortt
91.925Witchfinder General
91.922Virgin Black
91.729Pallbearer
91.640Earth
91.623Hooded Menace
91.335Novembers Doom
91.366Anathema
91.245Woods of Ypres
91.121In Mourning
90.924Heaven & Hell
90.950Asphyx
90.924Empyrium
90.835Cirith Ungol
90.825Novembre
90.822Khanate
90.839Tiamat
90.623Shape of Despair
90.654Sunn O)))
90.521Thou
90.421Grand Magus
90.428Forgotten Tomb
90.320October Tide
90.223Antestor
52Heavy
95.758Mercyful Fate
95.778King Diamond
95.634Satan
95.652Riot V
95.570Alice in Chains
95.2192Black Sabbath
95.021Pagan Altar
95.057W.A.S.P.
94.8291Iron Maiden
94.498Amorphis
94.3201Darkthrone
94.133The Lord Weird Slough Feg
94.147Rainbow
94.140Manilla Road
94.054Fates Warning
94.039Helstar
94.052Metal Church
93.889Motörhead
93.6208Judas Priest
93.339Jag Panzer
93.231X Japan
93.032Deceased
93.049Savatage
93.065Deep Purple
92.730Soundgarden
92.750Bruce Dickinson
92.422Crimson Glory
92.320Root
92.226Visigoth
92.020Hell
92.056Dio
91.973Accept
91.925Witchfinder General
91.947Virgin Steele
91.829Loudness
91.7247Megadeth
91.629Skid Row
91.631Angel Witch
91.459Rage
91.345Enforcer
91.359Scorpions
91.262Saxon
91.222Discharge
90.924Heaven & Hell
90.929Armored Saint
90.960Grave Digger
90.835Cirith Ungol
90.786Venom
90.564Running Wild
90.421Grand Magus
90.423Warlord
90.1126Pantera
52Progressive
96.6159Death
95.826Lykathea Aflame
95.532Ne Obliviscaris
95.283Symphony X
95.1122Katatonia
95.188Rush
95.052Vektor
95.061Angra
94.8115Enslaved
94.675Voivod
94.651Atheist
94.622Watchtower
94.530Orphaned Land
94.498Amorphis
94.344Akercocke
94.349Arcturus
94.336Devin Townsend
94.1206Opeth
94.054Fates Warning
94.052Ayreon
94.027Vintersorg
93.421The Ocean Collective
93.451Obscura
93.357Borknagar
93.231X Japan
93.148Týr
93.144Ihsahn
93.049Savatage
93.020Theocracy
92.931Negură Bunget
92.9174Dream Theater
92.884Nevermore
92.890Cattle Decapitation
92.723Persefone
92.661Cynic
92.420Horrendous
92.422Crimson Glory
92.224Disillusion
92.131Baroness
92.093Mastodon
92.024Haggard
91.973Kamelot
91.751Pain of Salvation
91.644The Faceless
91.366Anathema
91.121In Mourning
91.045Edge of Sanity
90.825Novembre
90.724Extol
90.727Adagio
90.620Paradox
90.544Evergrey
45Power
95.652Riot V
95.4154Blind Guardian
95.283Symphony X
95.061Angra
94.244Kalmah
94.140Manilla Road
94.054Fates Warning
94.039Helstar
94.052Metal Church
93.829Galneryus
93.627Lost Horizon
93.5135Helloween
93.339Jag Panzer
93.231X Japan
93.049Savatage
93.020Theocracy
92.922Angel Dust
92.746Falconer
92.666Gamma Ray
92.422Crimson Glory
92.323Persuader
92.347Flotsam and Jetsam
92.226Visigoth
92.222Stormwarrior
92.126Mercenary
92.120Hibria
91.973Kamelot
91.947Virgin Steele
91.459Rage
91.3141Iced Earth
91.223Dragonland
91.070Stratovarius
90.9115Children of Bodom
90.960Grave Digger
90.7141Nightwish
90.724Gloryhammer
90.727Adagio
90.623Orden Ogan
90.620Paradox
90.564Running Wild
90.544Evergrey
90.423Warlord
90.337Iron Savior
90.151Alestorm
90.121Pharaoh
32Technical
96.037Demilich
95.826Lykathea Aflame
95.3108Suffocation
94.622Watchtower
94.544Ulcerate
94.567Gorguts
94.133Defeated Sanity
93.947Heathen
93.829Spawn of Possession
93.734Deeds of Flesh
93.744Coroner
93.620Malignancy
93.498Nile
93.451Obscura
93.325Toxik
93.251Arsis
93.025Anata
92.553Origin
92.547Necrophagist
92.0117Cryptopsy
92.023Hour of Penance
92.038Nocturnus
91.832Wormed
91.644The Faceless
91.4113Meshuggah
91.365Decapitated
91.026The Red Chord
90.933Sadus
90.938Psycroptic
90.724Extol
90.338Decrepit Birth
90.029Archspire
25Speed
95.652Riot V
95.4154Blind Guardian
94.3201Darkthrone
94.039Helstar
93.947Heathen
93.889Motörhead
93.6124Sodom
93.5135Helloween
93.325Toxik
93.042Razor
92.922Angel Dust
92.666Gamma Ray
92.323Persuader
92.222Stormwarrior
92.120Hibria
91.920Hellripper
91.521Midnight
91.423Whiplash
91.459Rage
91.345Enforcer
90.960Grave Digger
90.786Venom
90.620Paradox
90.564Running Wild
90.337Iron Savior
24Folk
95.963Moonsorrow
94.859Primordial
94.889Ulver
94.735Panopticon
94.530Orphaned Land
94.1105Agalloch
94.027Vintersorg
94.066Nokturnal Mortum
93.834Equilibrium
93.640Falkenbach
93.357Borknagar
93.148Týr
93.130Windir
92.931Negură Bunget
92.746Falconer
92.451Finntroll
92.220閃靈
92.034Melechesh
91.737Peste Noire
91.435Skyclad
90.924Empyrium
90.721Аркона
90.671Ensiferum
90.151Alestorm
22Symphonic
95.494Emperor
94.349Arcturus
94.022Ceremonial Castings
94.066Nokturnal Mortum
93.937Bal-Sagoth
93.847Septicflesh
93.444Carach Angren
92.629Limbonic Art
92.024Haggard
91.922Virgin Black
91.8123Cradle of Filth
91.862Therion
91.351Epica
91.338Old Man's Child
91.223Dragonland
90.924Empyrium
90.840Tristania
90.7141Nightwish
90.724Gloryhammer
90.727Adagio
90.425After Forever
90.385Wintersun
19Gothic
95.960Type O Negative
95.1122Katatonia
94.272Rotting Christ
93.899My Dying Bride
93.226Triptykon
92.862Moonspell
92.877Paradise Lost
92.426Theatre of Tragedy
92.233Draconian
92.124Tribulation
91.922Virgin Black
91.8123Cradle of Filth
91.245Woods of Ypres
91.121In Mourning
90.825Novembre
90.840Tristania
90.839Tiamat
90.662Sentenced
90.428Forgotten Tomb
16Grindcore
94.271Dying Fetus
93.8107Carcass
93.729Misery Index
93.687Anaal Nathrakh
93.359Pig Destroyer
93.320Nails
92.890Cattle Decapitation
92.721Wormrot
92.525Impetigo
92.433Exhumed
92.2138Napalm Death
91.222Terrorizer
91.026The Red Chord
91.030Macabre
90.722Benighted
90.620Rotten Sound
13Brutal
95.826Lykathea Aflame
95.3108Suffocation
94.271Dying Fetus
94.133Defeated Sanity
93.734Deeds of Flesh
93.620Malignancy
93.498Nile
92.553Origin
92.0117Cryptopsy
92.023Hour of Penance
91.832Wormed
91.757Devourment
90.722Benighted
13Sludge
96.529Acid Bath
95.535Neurosis
95.335Crowbar
94.935Cult of Luna
94.345Isis
93.421The Ocean Collective
92.840High on Fire
92.536Melvins
92.131Baroness
92.093Mastodon
91.733Corrosion of Conformity
90.521Thou
90.534Down
10Ambient
95.240Paysage d'Hiver
94.889Ulver
94.336Devin Townsend
94.157Leviathan
94.020An Axis of Perdition
93.872Blut aus Nord
92.7144Burzum
92.224Darkspace
91.736Hate Forest
91.623Spectral Lore
9Industrial
94.528Mortiis
94.020An Axis of Perdition
93.872Blut aus Nord
93.687Anaal Nathrakh
93.541Samael
92.426Theatre of Tragedy
92.238Godflesh
92.224Dødheimsgard
90.953Strapping Young Lad
8Experimental
93.144Ihsahn
92.425Mr. Bungle
92.228Bethlehem
92.238Godflesh
91.737Peste Noire
91.421Mithras
91.320Furia
90.551Portal
8Stoner
95.031Kyuss
94.221Yob
93.574Electric Wizard
93.250Cathedral
92.840High on Fire
92.730Soundgarden
92.336Sleep
91.921Orange Goblin
7Funeral
97.533Evoken
96.230Esoteric
95.441Ahab
93.620Skepticism
92.920Bell Witch
91.922Nortt
90.623Shape of Despair
7Viking
96.2113Bathory
94.8115Enslaved
94.027Vintersorg
93.761Graveland
93.640Falkenbach
93.357Borknagar
93.130Windir
4Pagan
95.963Moonsorrow
93.761Graveland
93.027Kampfar
90.721Аркона
3Deathcore
91.644The Faceless
91.026The Red Chord
90.531All Shall Perish
2Metalcore
93.834Equilibrium
91.026The Red Chord
The first number in each entry is a bias score, derived from the assigned ratings on a curve desgined to reward both individual reviewer enthusiasm and collective critical attention. For releases, each rating counts; for bands, release ratings are aggregated by reviewer first. The second number is the number of reviewers who rated that band or release. A release needs at least 4 ratings to qualify; a band needs ratings from at least 20 different reviewers.
Data from Encyclopaedia Metallum · Analysis by glenn mcdonald · Updated 12 May 2025