A-list metal

[Conservationist]

HEAVY

* Angel Witch
* Judas Priest
* Iron Maiden
* Black Sabbath

HEAVY/SPEED

* Motorhead

SPEED

* Metallica
* Nuclear Assault
* Exodus

SPEED/DEATH

* Slayer
* Rigor Mortis
* Destruction

PROTO-UNDERGROUND

* Hellhammer
* Bathory
* Merciless
* Sarcofago

DEATH

* Possessed
* Sepultura
* Massacra
* Master
* Morbid Angel
* Deicide
* Incantation
* Immolation
* Suffocation
* Monstrosity
* Demigod
* Carnage
* Amorphis
* Nihilist
* At the Gates
* Demilich
* Asphyx
* Pestilence
* Sinister/Ceremony
* Malediction
* Sentenced

BLACK

* Immortal
* Beherit
* Graveland
* Mayhem
* Emperor
* Gorgoroth
* Belial
* Burzum
* Impaled Nazarene
* Darkthrone
* Summoning
* Varathron
* Demoncy
* Profanatica/Havohej

HARDCORE

* GBH
* Discharge
* Amebix
* The Exploited
* Black Flag

THRASH

* DRI
* Suicidal Tendencies
* Cryptic Slaughter
* COC
* Fearless Iranians From Hell

GRINDCORE

* Repulsion
* Terrorizer
* Carcass
* Napalm Death
* Carbonized
* Blood

METALCORE

* Neurosis
* Human Remains
* Today is the Day
* Discordance Axis

POST-INDIE

* Jesu

Did I miss anyone?

[JewishPhysics]

I'd be very sad if Gorguts was left off the Death Metal list or Enslaved was left off the Black Metal list.  I think there might also be an argument for Exhorder in the Speed/Death category.

[Examiner]

I find it pretty far-fetched to call Gorgoroth A-list.

My suggestion would Manilla Road and/or Legend as there is nothing in that vain on your list. Impetigo, S.O.B and Carnivore would also fit into the A-list criteria.

[nothingnowhere]

I find it pretty far-fetched to call Gorgoroth A-list.

Try again

This is ten thousand light years ahead of those other 3 bands you mentioned.

[Umbrage]

Did I miss anyone?

Ildjarn and (early) Samael are A-list black metal.

Deeds Of Flesh is A-list death metal. So is the first Dissection album.

Sentenced is B-list death metal.

[hoodwink]

Did I miss anyone?

Ildjarn

Totally agree with this one.  Pretty much a seminal body of work from start to finish. 

Enslaved and Bolt Thrower are curious omissions. 

[Cynical]

Mercyful Fate, Sacramentum, Therion, Necrophobic, Gorguts, Enslaved, and Autopsy should be added, IMO.  Possibly Averse Sefira, Ildjarn/Sort Vokter, and Dismember, as well.   I would add The Chasm, although I know we'll never agree on that one.

I'd personally remove Nuclear Assault, Exodus, Monstrosity, Carnage, Nihilist, Belial, Napalm Death, and the entire Metalcore section.  All of those bands (aside from Napalm Death and the metalcore bands) are great, but not up to the standards of the rest of that list.  Possibly remove Demigod, Impaled Nazarene (sorry Finland!), Iron Maiden, and Summoning as well.

I've actually never heard Malediction.

[Cargést]

Don't add anything to the A-list.  Instead, raise the bar of all lists - A, B, and C - and redefine some of these bands as B grade.  The A-list is the music that so greatly encapsulates/enhances the Metal Spirit that Metal music as a whole would be lesser for its absence.

Better yet, stop talking about A-list bands, start talking about A-list albums.  Are Belus/Covenant up there with Det Som Engang Var/Altars of Madness?  Fuck no.

Also, cheers to this thread for getting me back into Merciless.

[Chains]

I second Ildjarn, Sort Vokter, Gorguts, Enslaved and Exhorder. Also, Celtic Frost - Morbid Tales.

I think Varathron, Impaled Nazarene, Belial, Carnage and Sentenced have no business being mentioned in these lists.

[nothingnowhere]

I think Varathron, Impaled Nazarene, Belial, Carnage and Sentenced have no business being mentioned in these lists.

They should be replaced with Sacramentum.

[Dinaric Leather]

I don't get why you're, making this list but I know a few bands to add to the hardcore punk A-list

* Dr. Know
* Cro-Mags (How did you miss this one?)
* Riistetyt
* Gang Green

I know most people don't hold Blasphemy in high regard as I do (Only Satan knows fucking why) but if you're going to have ImpNaz and Blood on there...

Also, Absurd needs to make an appearance on there somewhere. Probably under Black Metal but an argument could be made to put them under Hardcore Punk.

I'd also consider putting NME under Speed/Death.

[E]

With this list, I'll be able to compile mixtapes for uninterested females in a jiffy.

[lord.aspie]

You forgot:

DOOM
*Thergothon
* Skepticism.

And dISEMBOWELMENT under death metal.

[Jim Necroslaughter]

Enslaved
Ildjarn
Bolt Thrower

[Rot]

Post-Indie: Atomizer

Hardcore: Fear, Death (70s Detroit band, I do wonder how the Bad Brains got this material to copy it, or maybe its something else)

Heavy: Manilla Road (give Crystal Logic a listen already)

Speed: Sabbat (from Japan,  they're just as good and even a bit better than Mercyful Fate, Satanasword is their finest moment, a classic!)