Metal Mayhem's Top 100 Metal Bands of All-Time, 60-56

Hello everyone,

Here is the latest installment of Metal Mayhem's Top 100 Metal Bands of All-Time, number 60-56. In this portion of the countdown, we have a diverse set of bands, so here we go.

60. System of a Down

System of a Down is an American metal band that formed in 1994. The band includes Serj Tankian on vocals and keyboards, Daron Malakian on guitar, Shavo Odadijian on bass, and  John Dolmayan on drums. My first exposure to SOAD was at Ozzfest '97.They were one of the best performers on the card, and I went out and purchased their self-titled album the next day. The one thing that I like about SOAD is that they are completely original. That means that there isn't a band out there that you can compare them. Their best album is Toxicity, but they have yet to release a bad album. The band took a hiatus from 2006-2010 so Tankian could work on his solo album Elect the Dead (which is fantastic), and Malakian started Scars on Broadway (not too great). They have since reformed, and hopefully will be releasing new material.
Here is "B. Y. O. B."

59. Fear Factory

Fear Factory is an industrial metal band that formed in 1989. One of the cool things about this band is that while they have been considered industrial metal, they often stray from that label employing techniques that could put them in thrash metal, groove metal, and progressive metal. Their album Demanufacture was one of the best examples of a metal concept album done right. I was able to see this band at Ozzfest in 1997, and they were amazing live. They are one of the truly under-appreciated metal bands, but no longer for they made THE LIST.
Here is "Replica."

58. Ministry

Ministry is an American industrial metal band that formed in 1981 by Al Jourgensen as a new wave-synthetic band. They changed their style to industrial metal in the late 1980's. The band didn't achieve notoriety until the release of Psalm 69 in 1992, and their famed tour with Lollapalooza. Along with Nine Inch Nails, Ministry was one of the most important industrial metal.
Here is "NWO."

57. Diamond Head

Diamond Head is an British heavy metal band that formed in 1976, and is often recognized as one of the leading pioneers of the New Wave of British Metal along with Iron Maiden, Saxon, and Motörhead. Thrash metal giants like Metallica and Megadeth have often stated that Diamond Head was a major influence on their early careers with Metallica famously covering "Am I Evil." While they never achieved mainstream success, their influence on the creation of thrash metal is good enough to warrant them a spot at #57.
Here is "Am I Evil."

56. Suicidal Tendencies

Suicidal Tendencies are an American hardcore punk band that is often viewed as the innovators of crossover thrash which is a blending of punk and metal. While I have never been a fan of this group, their impact must be acknowledged.
Here is "Waking the Dead."

Thanks for reading!
Marty Sabin