RATT (stylized as RATT), the iconic American glam metal band, ruled the 1980s. Their albums achieved multi-platinum status, cementing their place in music history. The bands infectious hits, including the Billboard Top 40 smashes "Round and Round" (#12) and "Lay It Down" (#40), along with anthems like "Wanted Man," "Youre in Love," and "Dance," became staples of the era. Shoulder-to-shoulder with rivals like Mötley Crüe, RATT was pivotal in shaping the explosive Los Angeles glam metal scene—also known as hair metal or pop metal—of the early 1980s.

Though they continued touring and recording sporadically from the 1990s to 2021, enduring numerous lineup changes and extended hiatuses, their final studio album, Infestation, dropped in April 2010.

Early Years (1973-1982):

RATT`s story begins in 1973 Hollywood with the band Firedome, formed by vocalist Stephen Pearcy and friends. After Firedome disbanded in 1974, Pearcy formed Crystal Pystal, later evolving into Mickey Ratt in 1976, finally shortened to Ratt in 1977, setting the stage for their legendary rise.

Skid Row, the New Jersey hard rock titans, exploded onto the scene in 1986. Their classic lineup – Rachel Bolan (bass), Dave Sabo (guitar), Scotti Hill (guitar), Rob Affuso (drums), and the unforgettable Sebastian Bach (vocals) – forged a legacy of arena-rocking anthems. Their debut self-titled album (1989) and its follow-up, Slave to the Grind (1991), achieved multi-platinum status, with the latter hitting #1 on the Billboard 200. These albums spawned a string of iconic hits like "18 and Life," "I Remember You" (both Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits), "Youth Gone Wild," "Monkey Business," "Slave to the Grind," "Wasted Time," and "In a Darkened Room," solidifying their place in the 80s/90s hard rock pantheon. While their third album, Subhuman Race (1995), received critical acclaim, it couldnt replicate the phenomenal success of its predecessors. By 1996, the band had sold 20 million albums worldwide, but internal tensions led to Bach and Affusos departures, plunging Skid Row into a three-year hiatus.

Resurfacing in 1999 with Johnny Solinger replacing Bach, Skid Row continued, albeit with a rotating cast of drummers (most recently Rob Hammersmith). Solinger fronted the band on two studio albums, Thickskin (2003) and Revolutions per Minute (2006), as well as the United World Rebellion EPs (2013 & 2014), receiving a mixed critical response. Despite the lineup changes, Skid Row`s impact on hard rock remains undeniable, cemented by the enduring power of their early, classic-era material.

From the ashes of Deep Purple, in 1978 London, rose Whitesnake. Initially formed as David Coverdales backing band, it quickly transcended its origins, becoming a formidable force in its own right. Coverdale remains the sole constant member throughout the bands storied history.

The bands early years saw the release of the *Snakebite* EP and albums *Trouble* and *Lovehunter*, which yielded live favorites like "Aint No Love in the Heart of the City" and "Walking in the Shadow of the Blues." Whitesnake swiftly conquered the UK, European, and Japanese markets, with albums like Ready an Willing*, *Live... in the Heart of the City*, *Come an Get It, and Saints & Sinners all hitting the UK top ten.

By the mid-80s, Coverdale set his sights on America, where Whitesnake remained relatively unknown. A deal with Geffen Records changed everything. Slide It In (1984), featuring the MTV-fueled hits "Love Aint No Stranger" and "Slow an Easy," significantly broadened their appeal. But their seismic breakthrough came with the self-titled 1987 album, a multi-platinum behemoth selling over eight million copies in the US alone, propelled by hits like "Here I Go Again," "Is This Love," and "Still of the Night." This era also saw the band embrace a more contemporary, Los Angeles glam metal aesthetic.

Following 1989`s Slip of the Tongue, Coverdale took a hiatus from the music industry, leaving a legacy of hard rock anthems and a place in rock history cemented by their massive global success.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the Gainesville, Florida-bred rock and roll institution, launched in 1976 with a classic lineup: Tom Petty (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Mike Campbell (lead guitar), Benmont Tench (keyboards), Stan Lynch (drums), and Ron Blair (bass). Blairs departure in 1982, due to touring fatigue, brought in Howie Epstein, who solidified the rhythm section for the next two decades. The bands evolution continued with the addition of multi-instrumentalist Scott Thurston in 1991 (primarily rhythm guitar and keyboards) and drummer Steve Ferrone in 1994, replacing Lynch. Blair notably rejoined in 2002, a year before Epstein`s passing.

Their decades-long reign yielded a string of iconic hits, including "Breakdown," "American Girl" (both 1976), "Refugee" (1979), "The Waiting" (1981), "Learning to Fly" (1991), and "Mary Janes Last Dance" (1993), establishing them as rock royalty. While Petty insisted on "rock and roll" as their sole genre descriptor, their sound resonated with both Southern rock and heartland rock sensibilities, placing them alongside giants like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, and John Mellencamp as pioneers of the latter. Even as heartland rocks mainstream popularity ebbed in the 1990s, the Heartbreakers remained a powerful touring force until Pettys death in 2017, marking the end of an era for one of rocks most enduring bands.

The Cure, the iconic English rock band, emerged from Crawley in 1976, founded by the inimitable Robert Smith (vocals, guitar) and Lol Tolhurst (drums). While Smith remains the sole constant member through numerous lineup shifts – including notable stints with Porl Thompson (guitar) and Boris Williams (drums) – the current iteration features Smith alongside Perry Bamonte (guitar), Reeves Gabrels (guitar), Simon Gallup (bass – absent for only a brief six years!), Roger O`Donnell (keyboards), and Jason Cooper (drums).

Their 1979 debut, Three Imaginary Boys, along with early singles, catapulted them to the forefront of the burgeoning post-punk and new wave scenes in the UK. A dramatic shift towards a darker, more tormented sound began with Seventeen Seconds (1980), influencing the nascent gothic rock genre and its burgeoning subculture, a style further amplified by Smith`s distinctive fashion. Pornography (1982), a move towards a more pop-infused sound, propelled them to international acclaim. Commercial zenith arrived with Disintegration (1989) and Wish (1992).

The Cure`s legacy is undeniable: 14 studio albums, two EPs, and over 40 singles have sold over 30 million copies globally. Their 1986 singles compilation, Standing on a Beach, alone shifted 4 million copies by 1989. Their impact on music history was formally recognized with their 2019 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Duran Duran, the iconic English pop-rock band, burst onto the scene in Birmingham in 1978, initially featuring Stephen Duffy (vocals), Nick Rhodes (keyboards), and John Taylor (guitar/bass). After some early lineup shuffles, the classic quintet solidified in May 1980 with the addition of Simon Le Bon (vocals), Andy Taylor (guitar), and Roger Taylor (drums).

Emerging from the New Romantic movement, Duran Duran masterfully leveraged the power of the music video, becoming a cornerstone of the MTV-fueled Second British Invasion of the US in the 1980s. Their impact was undeniable; by 1984, their fame rivaled Beatlemania.

Their breakthrough began with "Girls on Film" (1981), from their self-titled debut album, a controversial music video catapulting them to initial success. However, it was their sophomore effort, Rio (1982), that cemented their global stardom. Russell Mulcahy`s cinematic videos for "Hungry Like the Wolf" and the title track propelled these songs to legendary status. Seven and the Ragged Tiger (1983) followed, becoming their only UK #1 album and featuring the transatlantic chart-topper, "The Reflex." Their success continued with "A View to a Kill" (1985), a US #1 hit from the James Bond film of the same name.

The departures of Andy Taylor and Roger Taylor preceded the recording of their fourth album, Notorious (1986), which still yielded a top-ten title track, despite the significant lineup change.

Hailing from Hawthorne, California, the Beach Boys exploded onto the music scene in 1961. The original lineup – brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine – quickly became a defining force in rock history. Their signature sound, a masterful blend of tight vocal harmonies, youthful lyrical themes, and innovative musical arrangements, cemented their legacy.

Drawing inspiration from doo-wop, 50s rock and roll, and R&B, the Beach Boys forged a unique style. Under Brian Wilson`s visionary leadership, they seamlessly integrated classical and jazz influences, pushing the boundaries of studio technology to achieve unparalleled sonic textures.

Starting as a garage band managed by their father, Murry Wilson, and fueled by Brians songwriting genius, the band’s 1963 hit "Surfin U.S.A." launched them to national stardom. A string of top-ten singles followed, capturing the essence of Southern California`s surf, cars, and romance – the iconic "California Sound." Remarkably, they weathered the British Invasion, maintaining their commercial success unlike many of their American contemporaries.

A pivotal shift occurred with 1965`s The Beach Boys Today!, marking a departure from surf-centric lyrics towards more introspective themes and ambitious orchestral arrangements. The 1966 masterpiece Pet Sounds and the groundbreaking single "Good Vibrations" solidified their status as rock innovators, achievements now widely recognized as monumental contributions to popular music. These works showcased a level of musical sophistication and ambition rarely seen before, significantly influencing generations of artists.

Opeth, the seminal Swedish progressive metal band from Stockholm, emerged in 1990. Their sound is a masterful blend of progressive metal, death metal (particularly prominent in their early work), folk, blues, classical, and jazz influences. This eclectic mix is woven into epic compositions characterized by acoustic guitar passages, Mellotron textures, harsh death growls, and dramatic dynamic shifts.

The band`s history is marked by significant personnel changes; every original member has since departed. However, Mikael Åkerfeldt, the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter, has remained the creative force since the departure of founder David Isberg in 1992. Initially, Opeth played live shows sparingly, but following their 2001 breakthrough album Blackwater Park, they embarked on numerous world tours, cementing their status as a major live act.

Opeth boasts an extensive discography: fourteen studio albums, four live DVDs, four live albums (three paired with DVDs), and two box sets. Their debut, Orchid, dropped in 1995. The band achieved significant international chart success with Ghost Reveries (2005), cracking the Top Ten in Sweden and charting in numerous other countries. Their subsequent album, Watershed (2008), debuted at number one in Finland and reached a respectable #23 on the US Billboard 200. Their impact on progressive metal and the wider metal scene remains undeniable.

Lamb of God, the Richmond, Virginia titans of heavy metal, exploded onto the scene in 1994 as Burn the Priest. This quintet – vocalist Randy Blythe, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell, and drummer Art Cruz – are a cornerstone of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal.

Since their inception, they`ve unleashed a sonic onslaught across eleven studio albums (including two under their original moniker), culminating in their latest offering, Omens, released in October 2022. Their discography also boasts a live album, a compilation, three DVDs, two EPs, and a staggering twenty-eight singles. Their impact is undeniable, with nearly two million albums sold in the US alone, including two RIAA Gold-certified releases.

Grammy recognition arrived in 2010 and 2011 for tracks from their acclaimed 2009 album, Wrath, and again in 2016 for "512." Their legendary live performances have graced stages worldwide, including two Ozzfest appearances, Download and Sonisphere festivals (UK), Soundwave Festival (Australia), Mayhem Festival, and Gigantour. They shared the stage with metal giants, notably as part of Metallicas World Magnetic Tour (2008-2010) and Slayers final world tour (2018-2019). Lamb of God`s influence on the heavy metal landscape is undeniable, solidifying their status as true legends.

Tool, the Los Angeles-based rock titans, exploded onto the scene in 1990. The lineup—vocalist Maynard James Keenan, guitarist Adam Jones, drummer Danny Carey, and bassist Justin Chancellor (who replaced Paul D`Amour in 1995)—has delivered a seismic impact on the music world. Their influence extends far beyond their four Grammy Awards and chart-topping albums; Tool has cultivated a fiercely loyal following through a combination of masterful musicianship and a fiercely independent spirit.

Initially emerging with the heavy metal heft of their 1993 debut, Undertow, Tool quickly transcended genre boundaries. Ænima (1996) solidified their position as alternative metal pioneers, a status further cemented by the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Lateralus (2001) and 10,000 Days (2006). These albums, along with their groundbreaking 2019 release Fear Inoculum, showcase the band`s commitment to musical experimentation, pushing the envelope of progressive rock, psychedelic rock, and art rock. Their meticulous approach, evident in the long gestation periods between albums, reflects a dedication to crafting sonic tapestries as intricate and visually compelling as their iconic stage shows.

With over 13 million albums sold in the US alone before Fear Inoculums release, Tools impact is undeniable. However, their complex, often lengthy compositions, coupled with their incorporation of visual arts and a deliberate resistance to industry pressures, has made them something of an enigma. Their relationship with the music industry has been marked by occasional clashes, reflecting the bands unwavering commitment to artistic integrity and fiercely guarded privacy. Ultimately, Tool represents a force that consistently challenges expectations and defies easy categorization, cementing their legacy as one of rocks most influential and enigmatic acts.

Dream Theater, the progressive metal titans, emerged from Boston, Massachusetts in 1985. Initially formed as Majesty by Long Island natives John Petrucci (guitar), John Myung (bass), and Mike Portnoy (drums), the trio dropped out of Berklee College of Music to pursue their musical ambitions. Petrucci and Myung remain the band`s only constant members.

Portnoys powerful drumming defined the bands sound for years, until his departure in 2010 to explore other projects. He was replaced by Mike Mangini, only to sensationally rejoin the lineup in October 2023. Vocalist James LaBrie joined in 1991 after a brief period with Chris Collins and Charlie Dominici (who was let go shortly after the 1989 debut, When Dream and Day Unite). The keyboard chair saw Kevin Moore contribute to three albums before Derek Sherinian stepped in for a brief period in the mid-90s (recording one album and an EP). Jordan Rudess took over keyboard duties in 1999, solidifying the current lineup.

Dream Theater`s legacy is cemented by their sixteen studio albums, a testament to their enduring influence on progressive metal.

Megadeth, the thrash metal titans, emerged from the Los Angeles scene in 1983, spearheaded by the visionary guitarist and vocalist Dave Mustaine. Instantly recognizable for their technically masterful musicianship and complex guitar work, they solidified their place as one of thrash`s "Big Four," alongside Metallica, Anthrax, and Slayer, significantly shaping and popularizing the genre. Their music is a whirlwind of intricate arrangements, blistering fast tempos, blistering dual guitar leads, and lyrics exploring themes of war, politics, religion, death, and the complexities of human relationships.

Their 1985 debut, Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!, released on Combat Records, generated initial buzz, paving the way for a major label deal with Capitol. The subsequent release of Peace Sells... but Who`s Buying in 1986 catapulted them to underground metal stardom. While internal struggles, including substance abuse and band member conflicts, plagued Megadeth throughout the late 1980s, they persevered, achieving multiple platinum albums, including the landmark So Far, So Good... So What! Their legacy as a pioneering force in thrash metal remains undeniable.