Who Was the First Metal Band?

[Doveshit]

There's a fair amount of controversy about what metal is. Who do you think was the first metal band?

I believe that metal began when bands dropped their blues influences and added the heavy distortion and quick tempo. Therefore, IMO the first metal band is Judas Priest.

That's not to say that bands like 'Sabbath weren't integral to Metal's emergence. I still feel that the song Black Sabbath might be the first metal song, however.

 

[porphyria]

Most people and even music historians would probably point to Black Sabbath

But I'd say I'd have to agree with Doveshit on this one, metal began with bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden

 

[astroman]

Well when I think of metal the first thing I think of is guitars with a heavy distorted tone usually only playing power chords, and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbaths guitar playing pretty much defines metal: tuned down guitars only playing distorted power chords and sabbath is pretty much the oldest metal band I can think of at least in the way I define metal.

 

[charLIE2291]

[SIZE=-1]Black Sabbath FTW
[/SIZE]

 

[charLIE2291]

Well when I think of metal the first thing I think of is guitars with a heavy distorted tone usually only playing power chords, and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbaths guitar playing pretty much defines metal: tuned down guitars only playing distorted power chords and sabbath is pretty much the oldest metal band I can think of at least in the way I define metal.

I think they were one of the first to play the style all the time

 

[Sparkey Duck]

I think for the sheer structure of the music, the use of chords and beats etc, then Sabbath would have to be considered the first Metal Band.

Though some may argue that it was Iron Butterfly... I tend to ignore them.

 

[Boomer]

Black Sabbath. They have done every cool riff before anyone. Also they were the first band to use the tri tones or tri chords or whatever they are called. I cant fucking remember. But there was a superstition that these musical notes would summon satan and musicians were banned from using them in some places in Europe back in the day.

 

[DaveM]

Sabbath

 

[charLIE2291]

Black Sabbath. They have done every cool riff before anyone. Also they were the first band to use the tri tones or tri chords or whatever they are called. I cant fucking remember. But there was a superstition that these musical notes would summon satan and musicians were banned from using them in some places in Europe back in the day.

It was them tritones. Tony Iommi used a tritone as the entire basis for the song Black Sabbath. He plays a tritone exclusively until about halfway through the song.

 

[Boomer]

There you go. Smart little fucker aint cha?

 

[charLIE2291]

I try

 

[Doveshit]

Jimi Hendrix was actually the first contemporary musician to employ a tritone (intro to Purple Haze)

I can see where you guys are comin' from on the Sabbath vote. To me, they always seemed a little bluesy for Metal. But then, when you're pioneering a new sound, I guess you're going to have to reference something identifiable, right? Maybe I'm nitpicking.

 

[Boomer]

Jimi Hendrix was actually the first contemporary musician to employ a tritone (intro to Purple Haze)

I can see where you guys are comin' from on the Sabbath vote. To me, they always seemed a little bluesy for Metal. But then, when you're pioneering a new sound, I guess you're going to have to reference something identifiable, right? Maybe I'm nitpicking.

Hmmm, I got my info from the documentary. Metal: A Headbanger's Journey. If you haven't seen it, watch it. Its a good flick.

 

[BaggedSplash]

ima have to say Black Sabbath..

 

[Peter Parka]

I think as with most kinds of music its very hard to say. Different styles usually evolve gradually from other styles.

 

[juggler]

Technically there was no metal band until an American newspaper critic reviewed a gig and said it sounded like a load of heavy metal being banged together!!!

Still, got to go with Sabbath on this!
Unfortunately Maiden were part of, and then leaders of the NWOBHM, so can't be classed as the start of metal!!!

 

[Doveshit]

Hmmm, I got my info from the documentary. Metal: A Headbanger's Journey. If you haven't seen it, watch it. Its a good flick.

I dunno, if they're stealin' cred from Jimi, who knows what else they'll say?

 

[Boomer]

Still a good movie. It covers ALL metal. Black, Death, Heavy...old and new. Really interesting documentary dood.

 

[Doveshit]

I was just kiddin'. I'll probably give it a look:nod:

 

[Opticllc]

I agree, Black Sabbath invented first "metal" pure power chord riffs.