I think most influential modern could be nearly impossible to pin down, given the vast popularity and variety of metal subgenres today. Really if we're saying influential as who spawned the most clones, probably Tool. But even then there's other bands of a different unique vein who spawned their own series of experimentation.

Truly.... a tough question.

Out of curiosity I would like to hear the reason for ISIS being the most influential in terms of modern metal. This isn't a knock to the idea, I've really never though about it. Just curious.

Sounds like BS to me. Aside from post metal what have they really influenced? Even then Neurosis would be ahead of them.

That's what I was thinking. ISIS didn't do anything someone else hadn't done before them, and you could try and make the argument they perfected some things other bands done but that's stretching it. I can enjoy ISIS and I've listened to them my fair share; But I've never understood the major hype surrounding them.

Yeah Isis is cool and all but far from influential or pioneering.

If we're talking about individual subgenres I'd have no problem saying Isis is the most influential band since 2000 for sludge metal. I know neurosis spearheaded the whole "atmospheric sludge" thing but they don't really sound that much like Isis imo. It's like comparing Godspeed and tortoise; same genre but different style. I think Isis' more drowning sound has been used by quite a few bands since that would probably cite Isis as a bigger influence than neurosis.

I do think it's pretty futile arguing about the most influential recent metal band as a whole. Maybe splitting it up into subgenres would be easier but still it's pretty early to tell and from my experience influence just means who's older anyway

Black Sabbath easily.
Deep Purple a close second, but their roots were in the blues as were Led Zeppelin's.
The others, Maiden, Priest, etc. came later and so were influenced by the others.

I agree out of place on this list.

have you ever really sat down and listened to everything up to Ace of Spades? Has to be some of the most relentless rock 'n roll out there. Those old albums are just so pure...

Hands down BLACK SABBATH, although I have to say that the term "heavy metal" is unfortunately used interchangeably way too much for it's own good, in my opinion. That said, here are my other choices:

4. Slayer

3. Iron Maiden

2. Judas Priest ( A VERY CLOSE SECOND I MIGHT ADD)!

Honorable mention would go to Deep Purple in fifth place but their overall level of musicianship EXCEEDS the parameters that metal sometimes gets caught up in, sadly. When all is said and done, I like to call it HARD ROCK! :band:

Black Sabbath obviously - We're talking about "influential", not "better"