Type O Negative was an American gothic/doom metal band formed in Brooklyn, New York City, in 1989 by Peter Steele (bass, lead vocals), Kenny Hickey (guitar, co-lead vocals), Josh Silver (keyboards, backing vocals), and Sal Abruscato (drums, percussion), who was later replaced by Johnny Kelly. Steele was born Peter Thomas Ratajczyk on January 4, 1962, […]

Judas Priest was formed in 1969 in Birmingham, England, under the name Freight by schoolmates Kenneth “K.K.” Downing and Ian Hill. In 1970, Al Atkins — formerly of a band called Judas Priest — became their vocalist. K.K. Downing had actually auditioned for Judas Priest in 1969. With Atkins now joining Freight and the original […]

Darkthrone is a Norwegian black metal band hailing from Kolbotn, Akershus. Formed in 1986 as a death metal band named Black Death, in 1991, Darkthrone transitioned to a black metal style influenced by Bathory and Celtic Frost and emerged as one of the leading bands in the Norwegian black metal scene. Darkthrone has been a […]

Black Sabbath were an English heavy metal band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. They are often cited as very first heavy metal band. After previous iterations of the group – the Polka Tulk Blues Band, and Earth – the band settled […]

Motörhead founder Lemmy Kilmister was born in Burslem, Staffordshire, on Christmas Eve in 1945. His musical career began in the early 1960s, and for a time, he worked as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix. He played in several rock bands, including the Rockin’ Vickers, Sam Gopal, and Hawkwind, before founding Motörhead (originally named Bastard). Leaving […]

Iron Maiden was founded by bassist Steve Harris on December 25th, 1975, in Leyton, East London, England. They performed their first gig at St Nicholas Hall in Poplar, London, on May 1st, 1976. In the early days, most of the members were from East London. Dave Murray is from Edmonton, Clive Burr is from East […]