Heavy Metal
35 bands play Heavy Metal beats
Founded in: 1988
Tang Dynasty was formed in 1988. It is China’s first heavy metal rock band, named after the Tang Dynasty, one of the most prosperous dynasties in history. In 1992, they released their album "Dream Back to Tang Dynasty", which caused a sensation in Taiwan and mainland China. This album established Tang Dynasty's important position in the Chinese rock music scene. The band is considered one of the most representative rock bands in the Chinese music scene. They won the Best Rock Band Award at the 7th Golden Record Awards in 2013 and the Hall of Fame Band Award in 2014.
Some of their well-known songs include "Dream Back to Tang Dynasty," "Sun," "Flying Bird," "Moon Dream," "Romance," "Black Humor," "Your Illusion," "Farewell," "Road," "Howling Train," "Feng Chan Ceremony," "Song of the Great Wind," "Thorn," "Tears of the Elk," "Elephant Doesn't Complain," "Rattlesnake," and many more.
The band has gone through several changes in members, disbandment, and reorganization.
== Members ==
=== Current Members === Ding Wu (1988 - present) - Lead vocalist, founding member. Liu Jingwei (2019 - present) - Guitarist Fu Dalong (2019 - present) - Guitarist Gu Zhong (1995 - present) - Bassist Zhao Nian (1989 - present) - Drummer
=== Former Members === Kaiser Kuo (1988 - 1989, 1996 - 1999) - Guitarist, founding member. Andrew Szabo (1988 - 1989) - Drummer, founding member. Zhang Ju (1988 - 1995) - Bassist, founding member. Liu Yijun (1989 - 1995, 2001 - 2009) - Guitarist Yu Yang (1999) - Guitarist Chen Lei (2000 - 2019) - Guitarist
==== Support Members ==== Qin Qi (1990) - Lead vocalist, sang the song "Dream of the End of the Century" on the album "Tang Dynasty."
=== Member Timeline === ※ This timeline is accurate to the year. ※ Andrew Szabo's position is unclear.
== Development History ==
=== 1980s === 1988: Tang Dynasty was formed by Ding Wu (lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist), Zhang Ju (bassist), and two American Chinese, Kaiser Kuo (guitarist) and his classmate Andrew Szabo (drummer).
Founded in: 2012
The Dead Daisies, a hard rock "supergroup" formed in Sydney, Australia in 2012, boasts a revolving door of all-star musicians with pedigrees that read like a who's who of rock royalty. Members have played with legendary acts such as Whitesnake, Guns N' Roses, Black Sabbath, and Mötley Crüe, among others. Despite its shifting lineup, the band has consistently been spearheaded by guitarist David Lowy.
Initially founded by Jon Stevens (Noiseworks, INXS) and David Lowy (Mink), the pair were reconnected by former INXS manager David Edwards. Their eponymous debut album, recorded in just two weeks at Los Angeles' Wishbone Studios with producer John Fields, dropped in August 2013 via Caroline/Universal in North America, and later in the UK. The album's lead single, "Lock N' Load," features a guitar solo by none other than Guns N' Roses' Slash, who also co-wrote the track. This Rolling Stone Daily Download and BBC Radio 2 staple launched the band into the international spotlight, setting the stage for a career defined by both its impressive roster and its consistently powerful sound.
Founded in: 2014
Lindemann: A Sonic Fusion of Rammstein and Pain
Lindemann, the German musical project spearheaded by the iconic vocalist Till Lindemann, burst onto the scene in 2013. This super-duo, formed with Swedish multi-instrumentalist Peter Tägtgren, blended the raw power of Rammstein with the industrial edge of Tägtgren's own project, Pain. Tägtgren himself described the sound as a "mix of Rammstein vocals and Pain music," promising a unique and potent sonic experience.
Their debut album, "Skills in Pills," arrived in 2015, solidifying their distinct sound and setting the stage for a whirlwind of intense performances. The follow-up, "F & M," dropped in 2019, further cementing Lindemann's status as a force to be reckoned with in the rock world.
A Meeting of Minds
The unlikely pairing of Lindemann and Tägtgren was born out of a chance encounter in a Stockholm rock pub. Introduced by members of the Swedish band Clawfinger, they hit it off, forging a creative connection that would lead to Lindemann's existence.
The collaboration came about during a break from Rammstein's touring schedule, with Lindemann originally planning to only create a couple of songs with Tägtgren. However, the duo's creative sparks ignited, leading them to craft a full-fledged album.
Finding Their Name
The band's name proved to be a challenge, with every name they considered already belonging to another group. Ultimately, they settled on simply "Lindemann," a suggestion from someone outside the band. While Tägtgren was initially hesitant, the name stuck, becoming synonymous with their unique and powerful sound.
Beyond the Duo
In 2020, Tägtgren departed Lindemann, leaving Lindemann as a solo project. Despite this change, Lindemann's legacy as a powerful and innovative musical force remains. The band's blend of industrial metal, electronic elements, and Till Lindemann's signature vocals continues to captivate audiences worldwide, ensuring that Lindemann's music will reverberate for years to come.
Founded in: 2000
Trivium, the Orlando, Florida-bred heavy metal titans, exploded onto the scene in 1999. The quartet—vocalist/guitarist Matt Heafy, guitarist Corey Beaulieu, bassist Paolo Gregoletto, and drummer Alex Bent—have since carved a formidable path through the metal landscape.
Their debut album, Ember to Inferno (2003), a seminal release via Lifeforce Records, established their raw talent. A swift signing to Roadrunner Records in 2004 cemented their ascent, a relationship that continues to this day. Over the subsequent years, Trivium unleashed a blistering ten studio albums and over twenty singles, solidifying their position as a major force in the genre. Their latest offering, In the Court of the Dragon (2021), further demonstrated their evolution and continued mastery. The band's impact is undeniable, boasting over one million albums sold worldwide and a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance ("Betrayer") at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.
Early Days: From Talent Show to Ember to Inferno
The band's origins trace back to a 1999 eighth-grade talent show, where a young Matt Heafy's Metallica cover ("No Leaf Clover") caught the eye of singer Brad Lewter. Lewter subsequently invited Heafy to audition for his band, igniting the spark that would become Trivium.
Founded in: 1982
X Japan: A Rock Revolution
X Japan, the legendary Japanese rock band from Chiba, burst onto the scene in 1982, the brainchild of drummer/pianist Yoshiki and vocalist Toshi. Initially known as X, they started with a potent blend of power/speed metal, infused with symphonic grandeur. But their sonic journey didn't stop there. They evolved, embracing progressive rock and crafting heart-wrenching ballads, creating a unique sound that set them apart.
X Japan was a pioneer in more ways than one. They were one of the first Japanese bands to reach mainstream success without the backing of a major label. They also spearheaded the visual kei movement, a Japanese subculture that embraced flamboyant and theatrical aesthetics, comparable to Western glam rock.
Their 1988 debut album, "Vanishing Vision," released on Yoshiki's own Extasy Records, solidified their lineup – bassist Taiji, lead guitarist Hide, and rhythm guitarist Pata joined the founding duo. 1989 saw them achieve major breakthrough with their second album, "Blue Blood." The following year, "Jealousy" further cemented their dominance, but in 1992, Taiji left the band. He was replaced by Heath, and the band officially changed their name to X Japan, embarking on a new chapter.
They released the groundbreaking "Art of Life" in 1993 – a single, 29-minute masterpiece that showcased their artistic evolution. In 1995, X Japan shed their signature visual kei look for a more casual approach, releasing "Dahlia" in 1996, a powerful album that, like its two predecessors, topped the charts. Their last concert, held on December 31, 1997, at the Tokyo Dome, was a grand finale to five consecutive sold-out New Year's Eve concerts at the iconic stadium.
After a decade-long hiatus, X Japan returned in 2007, reigniting their passion with the new song "I.V." Their impact on Japanese rock music, and global music in general, is undeniable. X Japan remains a force to be reckoned with, a band that continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.