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So, you want to dive deep into the world of heavy metal? You've come to the right place. Choosing the "top 100 heavy metal bands" is a Herculean task, fraught with endless debate. What constitutes "heavy metal" anyway? Is it the blues-infused proto-metal of the early '70s, the NWOBHM explosion, the thrash, death, and black metal evolutions, or the nu-metal and metalcore hybrids of the late '90s and beyond? It's all metal, but drastically different, and this list attempts to represent the breadth and depth of the genre....

For the bigger picture and full context, make sure you read our main guide on Top 100 Heavy Metal Bands: Your Essential Headbanging Guide. markdown Deciding where to start with heavy metal can feel overwhelming. With countless subgenres and legendary bands vying for your attention, how do you navigate the sonic landscape to find your top metal groups? Understanding the titans and their contributions is key. At a glance:...