I have just been listening to the new Led Zep album,mothership.
Are they the best heavy metal band?
I personally liked AC/DC better,i just find Led Zepp songs mournfull and drab,apart from Black Dog.
I think AC/DC,Guns 'n Roses,Motorhead,It Bites & Europe were all better.
I didn't like Iron Maiden either.
Which metal bands do you like?

I like Led Zepp a lot, but I'd put Black Sabbath above all the other bands you named there, as far as classic heavy metal bands go.

I wouldn't class Led Zep as heavy metal, not by a long shot

I'd have to agree on Black Sabbath.

I agree with you Steve - Black Dog is my fave. I can't bear Stairway to Heaven I'm sorry to say (prepares to be lynched by angry Zep fans).

I think I really dislike Stairway because I was at a party many years ago, and the couple getting it on next to the record player (yes, it was back in the days of vinyl) couldn't be bothered to turn the record over, so all we got for about an hour was Stairway - until they'd finished! It was like aversion therapy.

Rainbow were the all time best metal band, closely followed by Motorhead.

I wouldn't class Led Zep as heavy metal, not by a long shot

agree, it's more a distorted blues vibe

agree, it's more a distorted blues vibe

that sounds about right, i was searching for what tag to put on them but couldn't think

Ugh no, absolutely not.

I'd disagree on the heavy metal as well....Guns N'Roses certainly are not metal either. Nor are AC/DC...I'd say you've listed hard rock bands.

Rammstein
Metallica
Both class above Led Zep, mellow by comparision.

I wouldn't class It Bites as Heavy metal,more Prog rock/Pop.

I would suggest the Zep are more psychedelic blues rock than metal

I think I really dislike Stairway [...]
I went through a period years ago of loving the song and haven't listened to it properly since then, but i started teaching it to someone last week and i can remember why i loved it. Its a very cleverly crafted song. Not as impressive as some of Led Zeppelin's other tunes ('When the Levee Breaks' is a favourite of mine) but it is a phenomenal song.

Led Zeppelin were one of the very first 'heavy metal' bands - they were there right when the term was first used...even thier name contains a reference to a 'heavy metal' :)

Heavy metal originated from that distorted heavy blues/rock sound in any case...think blue cheer, cream, etc...

I have just been listening to the new Led Zep album,mothership.
Are they the best heavy metal band?
I didn't like Iron Maiden either.
Which metal bands do you like?how the'ell can you call zepp heavy metal?:suspect: you dont like maiden... then you dont like metal mate, zepp are like the Kylie or rock...;)

Although I own most Zeppelin albums I've always thought them to be mostly self-indulegent "twaddle." With a few exceptions of course - Kashmir being one.

Best HM band - my vote would be Helloween. Or Budgie - though not sure if they fall nicely in to the HM category.

I agree with you Steve - Black Dog is my fave. I can't bear Stairway to Heaven I'm sorry to say (prepares to be lynched by angry Zep fans).

I think I really dislike Stairway because I was at a party many years ago, and the couple getting it on next to the record player (yes, it was back in the days of vinyl) couldn't be bothered to turn the record over, so all we got for about an hour was Stairway - until they'd finished! It was like aversion therapy.

Rainbow were the all time best metal band, closely followed by Motorhead.

So, up to now we've established that they aren't the best because they've only ever recorded two songs!

Of course Stairway... isn't the best, but you can't dismiss a band that's written the likes of Rock 'N' Roll (Does what it says on the tin), Battle Of Evermore, Gallows Pole, What Is And What Should Never Be, Kashmir, Dazed & Confused and the rest!

Zep were awesome, but I wouldn't say they had much to do with the Metal genre, apart from the odd dip in to the pot every now and then. It depends what you want from metal as to who is the best.

Led Zeppelin were one of the very first 'heavy metal' bands - they were there right when the term was first used...even thier name contains a reference to a 'heavy metal' :)

Heavy metal originated from that distorted heavy blues/rock sound in any case...think blue cheer, cream, etc...

Led Zeppelin got their name from a famous flying machine.

Although I own most Zeppelin albums I've always thought them to be mostly self-indulegent "twaddle." With a few exceptions of course - Kashmir being one.

Best HM band - my vote would be Helloween. Or Budgie - though not sure if they fall nicely in to the HM category.

See, this is where it depends on your point of view. Helloween are, indeed, excellent, but many would class them as European Power Metal, but it's just a label. To me, the ultimate modern day metal band (Modern as in from the 80's onwards) is Testament. The actual music and musicianship was better than Metallica, but their sound wasn't as accessible, so they didn't make it as big. But I would urge any self respecting metal fan to buy some Testament, preferably The Legacy, Souls Of Black, Practice What You Preach or one of the later ones like Low or The Gathering.

Led Zeppelin got their name from a famous flying machine.
Keith Moon gave them their name, saying they'd go down like a lead zeppelin.

There was no 'famous flying machine' called 'the Led Zeppelin'.

:rolleyes:

Keith Moon gave them their name, saying they'd go down like a lead zeppelin.

There was no 'famous flying machine' called 'the Led Zeppelin'.

:rolleyes:

Sorry, I stand corrected, just the zeppelin bit is a flying machine.

Sorry, I stand corrected, just the zeppelin bit is a flying machine.
A zeppelin is a flying machine, yes.

/face palm

yes, and though legend has it that keith made the comment, giving rise to the name, the fact that it references a 'heavy metal' is, in my opinion, a further 'in-joke' they spotted, and so the name stuck.

In fact, you could almost say that it contains a further reference to the alleged article discribing Hendrix Experience music as like 'heavy metal falling from the sky'...geddit? Its all in there...:)

Nowadays, they don't really sound like 'heavy metal' but back then it was only a handful of bands, them included, who were that 'heavy'...steppenwolf, blue cheer, zeppelin, all came about before the 'metal' incarnation of Sabbath...don't forget, THEY were more of a heavy blues-rock sound to begin with, albeit with a different band name...

Based on their first album, yes

Otherwise, hell no

Is it just me, or are all the bands mentioned here synonymous with TOTAL CHEESE?

Is it just me, or are all the bands mentioned here synonymous with TOTAL CHEESE?

Continue....? Why do you say that?

he says that because he likes paffy nonsense like norah jones and the like...

and is jealous of the raw power of The Zep in full, er, flight:)

It's all just 'dad' rock... lame & re-hashed

It's all just 'dad' rock... lame & re-hashed

I notice you haven't told us what you like.

And if you mention anything like Coldplay, Keane, Snow Patrol or any of those whinging, miserable, dirgeful bands, I will personally visit your house at 4am one weekday and blast a selection of classic 70's rock tunes through your letterbox until you submit to the fact that Led Zep, Sabbath, Purple etc. were the daddies of ultimate pounding rock power.

I notice you haven't told us what you like.

And if you mention anything like Coldplay, Keane, Snow Patrol or any of those whinging, miserable, dirgeful bands, I will personally visit your house at 4am one weekday and blast a selection of classic 70's rock tunes through your letterbox until you submit to the fact that Led Zep, Sabbath, Purple etc. were the daddies of ultimate pounding rock power.

you need to be aware that your thread sounds a bit 'threatening' and not very friendly. We all have different tastes in music, but getting aggressive is a bit off. We are all entitled to our own opinions

"Hello front desk, could we please have a sense of humour delivered to the 'Are Led Zepp the all time best heavy metal band?' thread?

"Much obliged."

you need to be aware that your thread sounds a bit 'threatening' and not very friendly. We all have different tastes in music, but getting aggressive is a bit off. We are all entitled to our own opinions

And some people need to learn to have a sense of humour and realise that just because they don't see the comical side of a post, doesn't mean to say everyone else will miss it too.

I do realise that we all have different tastes, but I find it annoying when people slag something off without offering any explanation as to why.

Just my most humble of opinions! ;);)

I thought that was funny - lighthearted. Not threatening at all..

How do you define the 'best'?:confused: The best is surely 'your favourite'. If they are your 'fave' then hell yeah they are the best! For me it wouldn't be Zep though. There have been too many great Metal bands to really think of one that rises about all the other awesome bands out there, past and present:thumbsup:.

(I was tempted to finish with MANOWAR - 'death to false metal', but I won't - although their latest album is actually really good!).

I have just been listening to the new Led Zep album,mothership.
Are they the best heavy metal band?

er, no. That would be Metallica.

I would have to say that ACDC, Metallic, Black Sabbath, and Led Zeppelin would have to be in the running, but it's tough to pick a number one.

See, this is where it depends on your point of view. Helloween are, indeed, excellent, but many would class them as European Power Metal, but it's just a label. To me, the ultimate modern day metal band (Modern as in from the 80's onwards) is Testament. The actual music and musicianship was better than Metallica, but their sound wasn't as accessible, so they didn't make it as big. But I would urge any self respecting metal fan to buy some Testament, preferably The Legacy, Souls Of Black, Practice What You Preach or one of the later ones like Low or The Gathering.

Much as I do like Testament, and have several of their albums ('Souls Of Black' and 'Practice What You Preach'), I still think they're the 'Best Metallica Rip Off Band', but each to their own, and they are good.

I don't think I could realistically narrow it down to much less than about 15 bands, let alone a favourite one, but going back to Zep, they were a truly great rock/blues band.

Ugh no, absolutely not.

So, precisely why did you buy tickets to see them then :D?

The touring drummer of Testament, Nick, was on about moving to Sheffield. He was going to rent a room off my mate. Don't know if he still is.

(I was tempted to finish with MANOWAR - 'death to false metal', but I won't - although their latest album is actually really good!).

Manowar to me are truly awful. "Fighting The World" summed it up for me. I'd rather listen to the whole of "Wild Cat" by the Tygers Of Ping Pong while my eyes were being burnt out by skewers, than listen to any Manowar.

Ever.

Again though, each to their own.

Manowar to me are truly awful. "Fighting The World" summed it up for me. I'd rather listen to the whole of "Wild Cat" by the Tygers Of Ping Pong while my eyes were being burnt out by skewers, than listen to any Manowar.

Ever.

Again though, each to their own.

Yeah, but I'd love to see Manowar live. How do they concentrate on their music with all the axes and loincloths flying about?

Yeah, but I'd love to see Manowar live. How do they concentrate on their music with all the axes and loincloths flying about?

That's just made me think of trying to get Manowar and GWAR together .......... crap music, but one hell of a stage show :D

Ear defenders to be given out free at the entrance.

That's just made me think of trying to get Manowar and GWAR together .......... crap music, but one hell of a stage show :D

Ear defenders to be given out free at the entrance.

GWAR put a great live show on. And I find some of their songs very, very amusing.

GWAR put a great live show on. And I find some of their songs very, very amusing.

Only ever saw them once, at the Marquee in about 89/90, and it was a racket. My mate had the album, and I thought it was a racket.

Great stage show though!

Manowar to me are truly awful. "Fighting The World" summed it up for me. Again though, each to their own.

I kinda like their Triumph Of Steel "opus." Cheesy, very cheesy but at the same time strangley enjoyable.

Is "Ross The Boss" still in Manowar? An obscure one about "Ross" - the album he did with Shakin' Street about 30 years ago or so was first rate. Anyone remember it.....?

Much as I do like Testament, and have several of their albums ('Souls Of Black' and 'Practice What You Preach'), I still think they're the 'Best Metallica Rip Off Band', but each to their own, and they are good.

I don't think I could realistically narrow it down to much less than about 15 bands, let alone a favourite one, but going back to Zep, they were a truly great rock/blues band.

I know you're entitled to your opinion as much as I am mine, but I don't see how Testament ripped Metallica off. They were faster, heavier and verged more on early death metal than thrash. They probably had more in common with the likes of Slayer than 'Tallica.

Anyhoo...

I kinda like their Triumph Of Steel "opus." Cheesy, very cheesy but at the same time strangley enjoyable.

Is "Ross The Boss" still in Manowar? An obscure one about "Ross" - the album he did with Shakin' Street about 30 years ago or so was first rate. Anyone remember it.....?

Manowar were great live. Saw them a couple of times in the 80's. The one thing you felt was a genuine regard and warmth for their fans, which you never felt from other bands.

I don't think Ross is in the band anymore. I went to look at the inner sleeve of the latest CD to check the line-up and it's all written in what I thought must be some kind of Eastern European language (I got the CD cheap last month in Europe), but it actually appears to be some kind of made up Norse 'rune-based' language!:o. I knew this band were eccentric, but you can't read a thing! Although there is a key for it at the back, it's indecipherable! :confused:

I had to go to their website and it's some dude called Karl Logan on Guitar now. Rest of the line-up remains the same. Got to hand it to them for surving this long when many other bands WAY more popular than them back in the day, have long sinced faded away to a mere far and distant memory.:thumbsup:

Anyone spare a thought for Megadeth? More thrash than anything but a top band!

I know you're entitled to your opinion as much as I am mine, but I don't see how Testament ripped Metallica off. They were faster, heavier and verged more on early death metal than thrash. They probably had more in common with the likes of Slayer than 'Tallica.

Anyhoo...

I always thought the riffing was very similar, the timings were very similar, and when Metallica changed style, lo and behold, so did Testament.

I dug up "The Legacy" after you mentioned it; I forgot what a good album it is. I still think they're much more in the Metallica mould than the equally excellent Slayer though.

Anyone spare a thought for Megadeth? More thrash than anything but a top band!

Agreed, another of the uber-bands of the 80's/90's. I still love their 'cover' of "These Boots Are Made For Walking" :D

I always thought the riffing was very similar, the timings were very similar, and when Metallica changed style, lo and behold, so did Testament.

I dug up "The Legacy" after you mentioned it; I forgot what a good album it is. I still think they're much more in the Metallica mould than the equally excellent Slayer though.

They changed style because they changed the line-up. Unless you're meaning with their last album with the classic line-up; The Ritual. That has a more bleak and mellow feel than the ones before, but that's probably more to do with the fact that the band were in turmoil and on the verge of splitting up.

Low came along and, as often happens, a new line-up means a new sound. I'll always have a soft spot for Low because it was the first album of theirs I'd heard, so it'll always bring back memories. But as Metallica changed and went for a more laid back sound, Testament got heavier and more aggressive on Demonic and The Gathering. Especially on the latter when they got Dave Lombardo in on drums.

I just think The Legacy, if you take it track-for-track with early Metallica and Slayer, it sounds more like early Slayer i.e. Hell Awaits and Show No Mercy. Metallica had a more polished sound on Kill 'Em All which seemed more accessible. They also had catchier riffs, Four Horsemen, Whiplash, Seek & Destroy etc. which were easier on the ears than Slayer.

But, as always, this is just my opinion.

Agreed, another of the uber-bands of the 80's/90's. I still love their 'cover' of "These Boots Are Made For Walking" :D

Not forgetting their storming version of Paranoid, and a decent cover of Problems by the Sex Pistols. Also, not forgetting, No More Mr Nice Guy.

black friday!

and other assorted gems...

never did paint the devil on the wall though. Perhaps there's still time:)

In the heavy metal category, there's nowt better than Metallica.

Not forgetting their storming version of Paranoid, and a decent cover of Problems by the Sex Pistols. Also, not forgetting, No More Mr Nice Guy.

'Problems', along with 'Bodies', are tremendous songs. 'No More Mr Nice Guy' wasn't bad by Mustaine, but Cooper did it better.