Time and time again, heavy metal bands burst onto the scene hoping to make an impact. While it's tougher for some, some bands that tried to deserve to be ed. Sometimes a band like AC/DC who have just played good old-fashioned rock and roll for over 50 years, on their way to becoming Hall of Famers.

Whatever the case, these legends found their niche, which helped them build careers that will never be forgotten. However, some heavy metal bands that aren't ed as well still left their mark on music history. Some had gold records, others made their way onto huge soundtracks, and some had a few hits that people from the era will never forget. Regardless, these bands still play an important role as they also helped pave the way. They should be ed for their contributions as they have laid out a particular blueprint for others to learn from.

10 Britny Fox

Founded: 1985

During the 1980s, glam metal was on the rise with bands like Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Def Leppard. It was a time when the hair was long, the leather pants were tight, and the music was played loudly. Britny Fox fit right into the era, and with their self-titled gold-certified album in 1988, they were on their way to becoming staples in the industry. However, after only one more album release in 1989, they had disbanded by the early '90s.

Britny Fox fit right into the era and, with their self-titled gold-certified album in 1988, they were on their way to becoming staples in the industry.

After their original split, they eventually found their way back together to create their 2003 album, Springhead Motorshark. Unfortunately, throughout the 2000s, the band has never been able to consistently stay together. It has made it impossible for them to produce new music; instead, they would just provide reunion shows. Even though they didn't release a lot of records, the first one made enough of an impression, with songs like "Girlschool" and "Long Way to Love" helping it go gold.

9 Heavens Edge

Founded: 1987

Getting a record deal can be the biggest break for a band as it provides them a platform to market themselves. When Heavens Edge started their career with Capitol Records, it seemed like the sky was the limit. In 1990, they released their debut self-titled album, which reached number 141 on the Billboard 200. The band was ready to capitalize on this success, but their original sophomore album was pulled before it could be released.

The band then spent years trying to get the record out, but it didn't happen until 1998. Finally, Some Other Place, Some Other Time, saw the light of day, but the band didn't last very long following its release. After a brief reunion, they came back together again in 2013, and when 2023 rolled around, fans were treated to their third album, Get It Right. With the band still making music, there's a chance for hits like "Find Another Way" or "Skin to Skin," again.

8 Digital Summer

Formed: 2006

Sometimes, in the constant sea of mainstream music, there is a band that may not be the headliner, but they are always around. Digital Summer was a group that did things their way. There was no major label, it was just them constantly betting on themselves. For a while, this paid off for them as, over the years, they ended up with multiple songs on Active Rock radio. Their success also brought them to the biggest stages in heavy metal.

They then worked their way up to playing ShipRocked with Five Finger Death Punch, Papa Roach, Three Days Grace and more.

Eventually, they found themselves opening for bands such as 12 Stones, Taproot, and Nonpoint. They then worked their way up to playing ShipRocked with Five Finger Death Punch, Papa Roach, Three Days Grace, and more. After their success there, they ended up on a huge tour opening for Trivium and Volbeat. Sadly, the band didn't do much after, and has remained quiet since 2018, but it's very impressive how far they got as an indie rock group.

7 Angel Witch

Founded: 1976

For any metal genre to gain traction, it takes true pioneers to bring it to light. As the world was being introduced to the new wave of British heavy metal, bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest were bringing it to prominence, but so was Angel Witch. In 1980, the band released their self-titled debut album, which was powered by the title track. This album is considered a seminal work of the genre and cemented the band's place in history.

Perhaps the biggest downfall of the band was the lack of new music over the years. The aforementioned Judas Priest and Iron Maiden both released over 10 albums, whereas Angel Witch has only released five, and there was a 26-year gap between albums three and four. Their most recent release, Angel of Light, arrived in 2019, so there is always a chance the band could create even more music; but if not, the path they helped pave will always be appreciated.

6 36 Crazyfists

Founded: 1994

Originally taking matters into their own hands, 36 Crazyfists independently released their first album in 1997. However, the band was able to work their way to a record deal and signed with Roadrunner Records in 2000. Their first release under the label arrived in 2002, but it was what they put out next that would define their career. In 2004, they released A Snow Capped Romance, which included hits like "Bloodwork" and "At the End of August."

The band was taking off at this point and even found themselves on the soundtrack for Resident Evil: Apocalypse. The film also featured songs from the likes of Slipknot, Deftones, and The Cure, so it put the band in elite company. After this, the band released five more records, but nothing quite had the impact of their work in 2004. As of 2021, it appears the band has disbanded, but they will always be ed for what many consider one of the most underrated albums put out by Roadrunner Records of all time.

5 Trixter

Founded: 1983

Beginning a career with a gold-certified record is a start any band would embrace. For Trixter, their debut self-titled album achieved this status. From the record, three songs even made it onto the Billboard Hot 100: "One in a Million," "Give It to Me Good," and "Surrender." They followed up with Hear! in 1992, but it didn't quite have the same success. Then, after their 1994 release, the band didn't put out any new music until 2012.

Although they never reached the heights that were expected, for a time in the '90s they were living every band's dream. During their period on top, they got to open for Poison, Warrant, and KISS. Their latest release came in 2015, but there hasn't been anything new from them since. The band may have been affected back in the day by the transition of eras from glam metal to grunge, but they were able to achieve enough success to be ed as a notable band of those times.

4 3 Inches Of Blood

Founded: 1999

After forming in 1999, it took 3 Inches of Blood only three years to release their first studio album. Battlecry Under a Wintersun was strong enough to gain the band notoriety, and by the time their second album was released, they had signed with Roadrunner Records. With songs like "Destroy the Orcs" and "Axes of Evil," Advance and Vanquish performed well for the band. However, the biggest song on the record, "Deadly Sinners," placed them in a huge spotlight as it appeared on the soundtrack for the Tony Hawk's Underground 2 video game.

Following this, the band would only release three more albums, with their most recent arriving in 2012. Over their last three records, they found some success with songs like "Night Marauders" and "Battles and Brotherhood." Additionally, the song "Look Out" from their last record in 2012 was a nice tribute to Ronnie James Dio. Fans thought the band was over in 2015, but they returned for a few shows in 2024 and are booked for Hellfest 2025, so there is hope for more shows in the future.

3 Shadows Fall

Formed: 1996

In the mid-'90s, metalcore was on the rise, but it was being broken into subgenres thanks to bands like The Dillinger Escape Plan, Darkest Hour, and Shadows Fall. When the band first started, Phil Labonte from All That Remains served as the lead singer. Eventually, the band moved on to Brian Fair, who had been in the also influential hardcore band, Overcast. With their sound set, they was ready to take on the 2000s.

In the mid-'90s metalcore was on the rise, but it was being broken into subgenres thanks to bands like The Dillinger Escape Plan, Darkest Hour, and Shadows Fall.

By the time their third and fourth albums came out in 2002 and 2004, the band was starting to see an increase in sales. In 2006, they were nominated for their first Grammy and were featured on WWE's CD Wreckless Intent. Their success didn't stop there as they received another Grammy nomination in 2008 for "Redemption" from their album, Threads of Life. Unfortunately, only two more albums followed this, and the band was thought to be over in 2015. However, they have resurfaced for shows in recent years and in December 2024, they released a new single, "In the Grey."

2 Danger Danger

Founded: 1986

With the hits "Naughty Naughty" and "Bang Bang," Danger Danger's self-titled first studio album positioned the band prominently. They were being featured by MTV and found themselves performing alongside the likes of Alice Cooper and Warrant. Their sophomore album, Screw It!, also spawned some hits: "I Still Think About You" and "Monkey Business." This would also lead them to a tour with KISS.

After some lineup changes, the band went on to release a few more albums. Their latest album, Revolve, arrived in 2009, but since then the band hasn't worked on another. Although the band isn't seen around much anymore, they still deserve credit for the series of hits they managed to release from their first two albums. It was impressive who they performed with, and they will always have a place in the history of glam metal.

1 ANTHEM

Founded: 1980

Over the years, there has been a rise in Japanese heavy metal, but before there were bands like LOVEBITES and BABYMETAL, there was ANTHEM. Hailing from Tokyo, Japan, the band began their career eager to create as much music as possible by releasing a studio album each year for six years in a row from 1985 to 1990. Following the band's 1992 release, Domestic Booty, they actually went on a hiatus until 2000.

Since reforming, they have released 13 more albums, bringing their total to 20 studio albums, plus an EP. Numbers like these are reminiscent of legends such as Black Sabbath and Motörhead. There is no telling how many ANTHEM would be at if they never disbanded, but the work they have done speaks for itself. They are trailblazers and have demonstrated how a great sound and hard work can pay off.