The First American Metal Band

Sun, 26/07/2015 - 06:20

When it comes to the first metal band, there's no doubt about it being Black Sabbath. It amazes me that some people argue Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple for the title. Sure Zeppelin had their metal moments, but they despised the tag "heavy metal". Purple didn't go metal until Ian Gillan joined which was after Sabbath's debut release. Now that that's cleared up, here's a good question to ask...

Who was the first American metal band?

A friend was trying to persuade me that Metallica was the first "true" American metal band which I know is bullshit. There were plenty of American metal bands in the 70s. But who was the first? In the early 70s you had Blue Oyster Cult, Pentagram, Sir Lord Baltimore, Bang, and more. Of these, which would you consider to be the first American metal band?

Joel

on Sun, 26/07/2015 - 08:25

I'd say Pentagram. They formed four years before Riot and a year before Cirith Ungol.

gizter on Sun, 26/07/2015 - 10:43

same.

joecubbie

on Sun, 26/07/2015 - 13:38

Personally I'd say BOC for a couple reasons. First, they formed in 1967 as Soft White Underbelly. However, if you hear their work under that name, it's more on the heavier side of psychedelic rock. By the time they released their first record in 1972 as BOC, I'd definitely say they were metal. They were much too dark and heavy to be categorized as hard rock alongside KISS, Aerosmith, and Montrose. When Columbia signed them, they were marketed as "the American Black Sabbath" and have been cited as an influence by Metallica, Saint Vitus, and...Pentagram. The reason Pentagram auditioned for Columbia was because BOC was on the roster and they wanted to follow in their footsteps. That's why I would personally consider them (BOC) to be the first American metal band. It gets interesting though because both BOC and Pentagram put out their first releases in 1972. Sir Lord Baltimore put out their debut in 1970 and Bang in 1971 predating both, but I'm not sure of either saw themselves as "metal". It's an interesting topic.

TemplesBelovv on Sun, 26/07/2015 - 15:36

Blue Cheer.

whiteravenmetal on Sun, 26/07/2015 - 21:01

I wouldn't say BOC or Blue Cheer are "Metal" 100%, sure they are influential as hell and amazing bands that we all should praise, but if we talk about Metal with the riffing and sound as it should be my pick goes for Pentagram.

nwobhmbanger on Sun, 26/07/2015 - 23:39

How about the first American metal album?

judascrust on Mon, 27/07/2015 - 00:17

Jimi hendrix perhaps? I don't consider his music heavy metal (I don't consider most of sabbath's early material heavy metal either for that matter) but as long as everyone is agreeing that the "heavier" blues and psychadelic based rock of the 60's really is true heavy metal then "are you experienced" could be a valid nomination for one of the first heavy metal albums from an American artist?