Ever since you introduced me to Cloudkicker, i've become a new man.

You're welcome. Now go pee pee standing up.

Metallica
IronMAIDEn
Slayer

I haven't become that much of a man.

I like this list. Ufommatut in particular is ****ing awesome.

Iron Maiden
Slayer (old, pre-Seasons)
Deicide

Acid Drinkers, Luxtorpeda, Slayer

For sure Megadeth and Queensryche..
and either Sepultura or R.J.Dio ( albums of Rainbow, BS and Dio -might be a cheating but:yeah: - )

I love too many bands to really have a definitive answer, but if I had to...

Bathory: Quorthon's black metal sound is the epitome of the kind of early extreme metal that I love, and his Viking era is so unique I just can't get the same feel from anywhere else.

Manowar: I don't necessarily like their sound more than other trad/power metal bands (with the except of their Into Glory Ride era, which is totally amazing) but I just can't shake the band, and play far more than their talent deserves.

Black Sabbath: I'd need some doom if I'm going to live off of only three bands, and while they may not be as heavy as Electric Wizard or Candlemass or many of the bands they inspired, I'd still rather give up "Funeralopolis" than "Black Sabbath". And the diversity of much of the rest of their discography would assure that I had some much needed variety (not to mention some of Dio's best music).


Honorable Mentions


Metallica: The only album that I simply couldn't live without is Kill 'Em All, so I couldn't choose them just for that.

Slayer: So many amazing albums, and I'd bemoan the loss of their first three for all time, but without one or two more spots they just miss the cut.

Electric Wizard: Black Sabbath and Bathory would give me enough heaviness to get by, even though nothing they produced would scratch that doom itch quite as much, but the sameness of their albums in general disqualify them if I'm going to only be able to listen to three metal bands for the rest of my life.

Megadeth: Thrash/speed metal gods who were a large part of my childhood, but too much of Davy Dave's discography is garbage.

Iron Maiden: If I had five spots, then Slayer and Maiden would probably be shoe-ins, but after much deliberation, they just lose out to Manowar and Sabbath.

Burzum: Awesome, hypnotic atmosphere. Filosofem is a masterpiece.
Gorguts: The compositions on Obscura are just too much fun. Like a metal Beefheart.
Psychotic Waltz: Not really into more melodic metal, but their music is just beautiful and Lackey has a great voice.

But since I listen to so few metal, this was easy.

Honorable mentions:

Slayer, because their early stuff kicks ass.
Japanische Kamphörspiele, because they remind me of my grindcory childhood and their lyrics are often cool.
Death, because obviously.