-10: Pantera
In this post there is some cheating, because I don't count the glam era, but from "Cowbowys From Hell" onwards. Apart from this, Pantera is undoubtedly one of the most recognized metal bands worldwide, with 5 studio albums with a powerful sound and full of groove. Unfortunately, the band broke up in 2003 due to internal problems. All hopes of a reunion with the original members were dashed by the death of the Abbott brothers (Dimebag Darrell in 2004 and Vinnie Paul in 2018), founders of the band. Still, Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown (vocalist and bassist respectively) reunited in late 2022 with drummer Charlie Benante and guitarist Zack Wylde.
My favorite album of the band is "The Great Southern Trendkill" (1996):
-9: Ekhymosis
Some may be surprised to see this band here, as many will know them by the sound presented since the album "Ciudad Pacifico", but before this sound change they were a thrash band, genre with which they released their first album "Niño Gigante" (LP considered essential for Latin American rock and metal), although with this sound only since its formation in 1987 until 1994, when they changed to be pop/rock. The band broke up in 1999, but reformed in 2012 with new members who returned to the thrash sound of yesteryear.
My favorite album by the band is "Niño Gigante" (1992):
-8: Hellhammer and Celtic Frost
I put these two bands together because I consider Celtic Frost to be an extension of Hellhammer's sound. These two bands are possibly the most influential bands in extreme metal thanks to their sound which is thrash metal with touches of doom metal in some songs and proto-black and proto-death in others; Hellhammer having one studio album to their credit and splitting in 1984 and Celtic Frost 5 (Cold Lake doesn't exist), which would split for the first time in '87 and their definitive split being in 2008.
My favorite album of these bands is "To Mega Therion" (1985).
-7: System of a Down
Known for their lyrics full of social criticism and references to the Armenian genocide. This band formed by descendants of oriental families released five LP's during their career, ranging from alternative metal to nu metal. They broke up in 2006 and reunited in 2010, and are still waiting for new material to be released.
My favorite album by this band is "Toxicity" (2001):
-6: Sarcofago
This band led by Wagner "Antichrist" Lamounier is a pioneer of extreme metal in Brazil together with Sepultura and a great influence for the 2nd wave of black metal thanks to their raw, simple and low quality sound shown in "I.N.R.I.", and for their satanic and blasphemous themes. They released four studio albums and split up definitively in 2000. Nowadays its members are dedicated to things far away from music.
My favorite album of this band is "Laws of Scourge" (1991):
-5: Nirvana
The most influential grunge band of all time, led by the legendary Kurt Cobain, developed a sound influenced by punk, alternative rock and sludge metal that marked the X generation. The band broke up in 1994 due to Kurt's alleged suicide, leaving us with 3 studio albums.
My favorite album of this band is "Bleach" (1989):
-4: Hermética
After the breakup of V8, bassist Ricardo Iorio (who unfortunately left us last year) formed this band, which became one of the main references of Latin metal for its thrasher sound and lyrics full of social criticism and a feeling of metal brotherhood. They split up in 1994 and left us 3 great albums that are now classics.
My favorite album of this band "Ácido Argentino" (1991):
-3: Stormtroopers of Death (S.O.D)
This band formed by former members of Anthrax and Nuclear Assault, was a pioneer in crossover thrash, being remembered for their polemic and irreverent lyrics full of black humor. The band broke up in 2002 and released 2 studio albums.
My favorite album of this band is "Speak English or Die" (1985):
-2: Acid Bath
One of the most important bands of southern sludge metal, that incorporated influences of death metal, country, gothic rock and blues to their sound, with excellent musicians and controversial lyrics. The band broke up in 1997 due to the death of their bass player in a traffic accident, and left us with 2 LP's.
My favorite album of this band is "When the Kite String Pops" (1994):
-1: Sex Pistols
Pioneer band in British punk rock, being known for its polemic bassist Sid Vicious. This is possibly the most influential band in history that only released one album: "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols" (1977), remembered for its aggressive sound and anarchist and anti-authority lyrics. Bands that have cited their influence are Nirvana, Megadeth, NOFX, etc. They were only together for three years and split in 1978 after the death of Sid Vicious.
My favorite song of this band is "Anarchy in the U.K" (1977):
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)