I'd have to say it was between Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. These days symphonic metal is my favorite along with gothic, power and progressive metal.

It's so crazy that Rage Against the Machine will celebrate their 20th anniversary next week. They seem to be pretty influential for a lot of metal-heads. The box set they are releasing is pretty sick though. It's a re-issue of the debut album with some goodies added in there. CANT WAIT

Avenged Sevenfold

Is that even a metal band? I've only heard "So Far Away" and if that's as heavy as they get, I don't think I'd call 'em that.

From what I've seen, they are said to be an "Emo" band. They could be considered as being somewhat Metal. "Almost Easy","Unholy Confessions",and "Bat Country" are pretty heavy songs.

Like Stone Sour?

Into metal was the usual introduction. I think it might be more pertinent to consider what bands got you into your favorite niche of metal.
Emperor got me into black metal and their later albums got me into the Techy side of Death Metal.

Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath got me into old metal from the 70s and 80s.

Breaking Benjamin, Korn, and Godsmack was my introduction to modern metal.

Suffocation and Insision were my first death metal bands.

And to be honest, I have no regrets with having those being my first impressions and I wouldn't change it one ****ing bit. Breaking Benjamin became my favorite band and remained my favorite band until 2010, which was when Opeth started taking control (I first discovered Opeth in 2008).

Iron Maiden. My uncle showed them to me when I was either nine or ten years old and I was blown away. I still like them, but other bands have replaced them as my favourite.


I'm not certain which song I heard, it was either Hallowed be thy Name, The Number of the Beast, or Fear of the Dark (Live) from The Best of the Beast compilation album.

'Run to the Hills' by Iron Maiden for metal. I'm not sure that Deep Purple or Van Halen count as a 'metal', more rock/hard rock but it would be 'Stormbringer' or 'Van Halen' if they do.