Lists

The heavy metal and hard rock scenes boast some of the most theatrical singers this side of opera and Broadway. Metal’s typically intense lyrical style needs to be delivered with a heighted sense of fervor and passion. Quite simply, many of the artists we cover here on Noisecreep write the kind of music that lends itself perfectly to the love and tragedy one would witness at a dramatic stage play, at least emotionally speaking.

Avenged Sevenfold effectively use the video medium to their advantage and their benefit. Their videos often help advance the stories in their songs, which are filled with rich and vivid lyrical imagery.

Metallica are preparing to unleash their new 3D film, 'Metallica Through the Never,' which centers on the adventures of a runner named Trip who is tasked with an important mission for the band that must be completed during their live performance.

When it comes to music, Alice in Chains have always been the complete package -- incredible harmonies, dark and meaningful lyrics, the ability to cut on a dime between aggressive-in-your-face rock and the most melodic of moments and musicianship that has put them amongst the most respected acts going. But it doesn't stop there as the group has always taken an active interest in their visual presentation as well.

Other than being the among the cornerstones of electric guitar design, what do the Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster, Gibson Les Paul and SG (and many more) all have in common? Believe it or not, when they were originally released they were all mocked and laughed at for their then-strange body designs and electronics. They were revolutionary of course, but it took many brilliant axe slingers to prove their capabilities beyond being a weird fad. Great guitar design has always been about the marriage of eye-catching looks, playing comfort and, of course, tone. And without creative people continuing to push the envelope, the world would still be limited to the handful of electrics that were first introduced in the '40s and '50s.

How gifted a songwriter is Dave Mustaine? Well, the heavy metal mastermind has written so many great songs that some of them haven't even made it onto regular Megadeth albums. Like his former Metallica bandmates during their peak years ('86-'92), Mustaine has given record collectors a lot to be happy about, dropping stellar non-album Megadeth tracks on everything from soundtrack compilations to single B-sides.

Iron Maiden possess some of the most recognizable branding in all of music. Over the past few decades, the British band's creepy Eddie mascot is a ubiquitous presence at any heavy metal and hard rock show through the countless t-shirts he adorns. Meanwhile, the many iconic album and single sleeves artist Derek Riggs created for Maiden have inspired countless musicians throughout the years. Quite simply, besides their groundbreaking musical output, Maiden have also left their mark on the graphic design side of the music spectrum.

The term "supergroup" first surfaced during the late '60s when already successful musicians started to link up with other well-known musicians to form new groups. The first wave of these bands include legendary acts such as Crosby, Stills & Nash, Blind Faith and Humble Pie. Since then, pretty much every musical genre you can think of boasts their very own version of a supergroup.

According to Nielsen SoundScan, vinyl sales have increased over 33 percent in the first six months of 2013. To fans of vinyl, this comes as no surprise, but isn't it nice to have your obsession justified with concrete numbers? You've contributed to the nearly 3 million records sold so far this year.

In baseball, the walk-up song is everything. Heavy metal and hard rock-loving baseball players understand this. Unlike their fellow teammates who choose to walk to home plate or the pitcher's mound to the dance floor-ready sounds of hip-hop or R&B, metalhead players know that going with a heavy track is much more effective.