QUESTION OF THE WEEK: IN LIGHT OF THE KINKS ARTICLE, WHICH BANDS DO YOU CREDIT FOR CREATING HEAVY METAL? WHAT ABOUT HARD ROCK?

For me, the “creators” of Heavy Metal, would be Black Sabbath and Judas Priest.

Hard Rock? That is far more difficult to answer, but maybe The Beatles? Check out George Harrison‘s riff on I Feel Fine (1964), which can then be followed by Paperback Writer (1966), the opening riff in Revolution (1968) and Harrison’s playing in Come Together (1969).

24 Responses

  1. IMO, Judas Priest were the first creators of heavy metal. Priest had the heaviness, image, and music approach for heavy metal. With all respect to Black Sabbath, I don’t credit them as being the first heavy metal band. Sure, they were influences, but i can’t label them as a “creator” of heavy metal. IMO, they weren’t “heavy metal” until Dio joined the band. When I listen to early Sabbath and Priest albums, I’m only picking Priest as the creators of “heavy metal”, while Sabbath is a “blues based” heavy rock band. IMO, it’s not even close…..Judas Priest are the creators of, and the first, heavy metal band.

    IMO, the first hard rock band was The Kinks.

    1. Rattle,

      I am always thankful, for how you make the case, Judas Priest 🙂 I will “say,” that despite the “experts” claiming it was Accept‘s Fast As A Shark, I always thought that Exciter was the first thrash song.

    2. Hi Dana, I’ve also read that “experts” claim Accept’s “Fast as a Shark” was the first thrash song, which I disagree with…a song needs more than fast, double bass drumming to be considered thrash…. I, too, would pick Judas Priest’s “Exciter” as an earlier released thrash type song, but I would also pick Motorhead’s “Overkill” as an earlier thrash song, and Queen’s “Stone Cold Crazy” as an even earlier thrash type song.

      Regarding Judas Priest and heavy metal, I recently had this debate with one of my cousins…A person unfamiliar with heavy metal approaches you and wants to hear the “perfect” song that defines “heavy metal”and learn what “heavy metal” is, what song do you play for this person? For me, that “perfect” song that defines “heavy metal” is Judas Priest’s “Painkiller”. That song has intricate guitar playing, heavy drumming, and soaring vocals. IMO, it’s the “perfect” song that defines heavy metal. BTW, my cousin picked Metallica’s “Battery” as the “perfect” heavy metal song.

  2. I would agree with Black Sabbath and Judas Priest being the creators of Heavy Metal, as far as hard rock? I’d have to go with Deep Purple.

    1. Yankee,

      Yes, very true and an excellent suggestion. I forgot all about Helter Skelter, as I never liked the song.

  5. For heavy metal, I’d say its more Black Sabbath with Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.
    For hard rock, I’d say its Led Zep and Deep Purple.

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