Greatest heavy metal band?!

Greatest heavy metal band?

in your opinion of course (mine is metallica)

I think there are 5 bands one could put into the "greatest" category, concerning Metal.

Black Sabbath is the beginning of all that is Metal. Nobody has had the impact that Sabbath made in the late 60's/early 70's. Using power chords and playing primarily in minor and diminished keys is still the standard fare for all types of Metal.

Judas Priest had a large impact, as well. Their faster palm muted machine gun riffs, and 2-part guitar harmonies set the stage musically for the NWOBHM, Thrash/Speed Metal, and Death Metal that would come later.

I agree with you to a certain extent on Metallica being the greatest. Metallica, (pre-Load days), made some of the best Metal ever written, but they have really faded in quality and credibility over the last decade and a half.

Pantera really filled the hole in metal in the 1990's, and their ultra-heavy sound is still being copped by today's bands. Unfortunately, Phil Anselmo's problems with drugs and quarrel with Vinnie and Dime ruined them. Sadly, with Dime's murder, we'll never see a reunion of one of the greatest Metal bands ever.

I think some of the best newer Metal is coming from Lamb Of God right now. They're setting the standard in metal these days, and will have their own little legacy down the road.