swap_horiz Anthrax Alternatives

1

Metallica

Formed in Los Angeles in 1981, Metallica rose to prominence with their heavy metal sound characterized by complex song s...

American 80S Legendary Heavy Metal

9.1 Excellent

2

Ramones

The Ramones were a pioneering New York City-based punk rock band known for their high-energy performances, stripped-down...

American New York 70S Pioneering

9.0 Excellent

3

Pixies

Pixies formed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1986 and are known for their intensely dynamic sound characterized by abru...

American Boston Alternative Rock 80S

9.0 Excellent

4

Sonic Youth

Sonic Youth, formed in New York City in 1981, developed a distinctive sound characterized by heavily distorted guitars,...

American New York Art Rock 80S

9.0 Excellent

5

Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden is a British heavy metal band formed in 1975, recognized for its epic song structures, galloping rhythms, an...

British 80S Legendary Heavy Metal

8.9 Great

6

R.E.M.

Formed in Athens, Georgia in 1980, R.E.M. established themselves as pioneers of alternative rock with their distinctive...

American College Rock Alternative Rock Post Punk

8.9 Great

7

Husker Du

Husker Du, formed in Lincoln, Nebraska, developed a distinctive sound blending angular post-punk with hardcore punk ener...

American 80S Hardcore Minneapolis

8.8 Great

8

Black Flag

Black Flag emerged from the hardcore punk scene of Southern California in the late 1970s, developing a raw, aggressive s...

American California 80S Pioneering

8.8 Great

9

Pantera

Pantera, formed in Texas in 1981, established a highly influential and aggressive brand of groove metal characterized by...

American 90S Texas Heavy Metal

8.8 Great

10

Slayer

Slayer, formed in 1981, is an American thrash metal band renowned for their intensely aggressive and technically profici...

American 80S Heavy Metal Pioneering

8.8 Great

11

Judas Priest

Judas Priest, formed in Birmingham, England in 1969, established themselves as pioneers of heavy metal with their twin-g...

British Leather 80S Heavy Metal

8.6 Great

12

Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend is an indie rock band formed at Columbia University in 2006, known for their distinctive blend of Afrobe...

American New York Art Rock 2000S

8.5 Great

13

Megadeth

Megadeth is a heavy metal band formed in 1985, recognized for its complex, technically proficient songwriting and politi...

American 80S Heavy Metal Pioneering

8.4 Great

14

Dream Theater

Dream Theater is a progressive metal band formed in 1989, recognized for its complex compositions, extended instrumental...

Virtuoso American 80S Heavy Metal

8.1 Great

15

Dio

Dio was a British heavy metal band formed in London in 1972, known for Ronnie James Dio’s powerful vocals and operatic i...

Classic American 80S Hard Rock

7.9 Good

16

Queensryche

Queensrÿche, formed in Seattle in 1978, is recognized for its progressive metal sound characterized by complex arrangeme...

American 80S Heavy Metal Progressive Metal

7.7 Good

17

Fates Warning

Fates Warning is an American progressive metal band formed in 1988, recognized for their complex compositions, intricate...

American 80S Heavy Metal Progressive Metal

7.3 Good

18

Testament

Testament emerged from the New Jersey thrash metal scene in the early 1980s, developing a signature sound characterized...

American 80S Heavy Metal Bay Area

7.3 Good

19

Danzig

Danzig, formed in 1987, is known for Glenn Danzantes’ distinctive baritone vocals and darkwave music characterized by go...

American 80S Heavy Metal Horror Rock

7.0 Good

20

Winger

Winger was an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1987, known for its blend of glam metal, arena rock, and pop s...

American New York 80S Hard Rock

4.8 Poor