Mercyful Fate is a Danish heavy metal band from Copenhagen, formed in 1981 by vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann. Influenced by progressive rock and hard rock, and with lyrics dealing with LaVeyan Satanism and the occult, Mercyful Fate was part of the first wave of black metal in the early to mid-1980s, along with Venom and Bathory. The band is also cited as a formative influence on many then-up-and-coming subgenres of heavy metal, including thrash metal and death metal, as well as the Norwegian black metal scene.
Ancient is a Norwegian black metal band from Bergen, formed in 1992. The band released six full-length albums released by Metal Blade Records to date and a variety of mini-albums, EPs and special releases. Ancient used to have the classic raw black metal sound, similar to Darkthrone's works. Beginning with The Cainian Chronicle, they moved towards a more Nordic/atmospheric black metal sound, akin to Emperor and a cleaner production. After a period of turmoil concerning their line-up, they went on to add gothic-style instruments such as violins, a female vocalist, and synthesizers to their music.
Nicholas Menza was an American musician who was the drummer of the thrash metal band Megadeth from 1989 to 1998. He recorded drums on four of Megadeth's albums: Rust in Peace (1990), Countdown to Extinction (1992), Youthanasia (1994), and Cryptic Writings (1997).
Gorgoroth is a Norwegian black metal band based in Bergen. It was formed in 1992 by guitarist Infernus, who is the sole original member remaining, and has released nine studio albums. Gorgoroth are a Satanic band and have drawn controversy due to some of their concerts, which have featured impaled sheep heads and mock crucifixions. The band is named after the dead plateau of darkness in the land of Mordor from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings.
Kix was an American glam metal and hard rock band formed in 1976, that achieved popularity during the 1980s. The band's classic lineup consisted of guitarists Ronnie "10/10" Younkins and Brian "Damage" Forsythe, bassist Donnie Purnell and frontman Steve Whiteman and drummer Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant. Kix covered Aerosmith, April Wine, Led Zeppelin, and others before signing with Atlantic Records in 1981. After peaking in the late 1980s, band members continued to record and tour until their disbandment in 2023.
Black is a Bangladeshi alternative rock band formed in 1998 in Dhaka. It was originally formed by Jon Kabir, Mushfeque Jahan, and Tony Vincent (drums). They were soon joined by Mahmudul Karim Miraz, and in 2000, Tahsan Rahman Khan.
Aurthohin is a Bangladeshi rock band formed in Dhaka in 1998 by Saidus Sumon, Tonmoy Rahman, Ponir and Rumi Rahman. They are considered to be one of the pioneering bands in Bangladeshi alternative rock music. The band was seen as revolutionary within the rock scene in Bangladesh and played a huge part promoting rock/metal music in the country by supporting underground rock/metal bands in Bangladesh. They have released 8 studio albums and also have appeared in some mixed albums. Though they were formed as a rock band they have experimented with genres like progressive metal and groove metal. Sumon's interests in slap bass also led the band's sound into funk-rock. Aurthohin currently holds a lineup of Saidus Khaled Sumon (bass), Mark Don (drums) and Zahin Rashid.
Ark is a Bangladeshi rock band formed in 1991 in Dhaka City by keyboardist Ashiquzzaman Tulu. The original founder members are Ashiquzzaman Tulu, Ridwan Nabi Pancham and Shamim. As of 2017, the band line-up re-consists of lead vocalist Syed Hasanur Rahman, keyboardist Tinku Azizur Rahman and drummer Hassan Towhidur Rahman.
Shironamhin is a Bangladeshi rock band formed in Dhaka in 14 April 1996. Following as a rock group emerging from Dhaka's underground music in the late 1990s, they were distinguished for their extended psychedelic and progressive compositions, multi-instrumental experimentation, and philosophical lyrics and became one of the leading band of the Bengali progressive rock genre. In 2008, the band became a member of the Bangladesh Musical Bands Association (BAMBA).
Arbovirus is a Bangladeshi rock band formed in 2001 in Dhaka. They have released four studio albums, one EP, and twelve singles through various mixed albums.
Onno Shomoy is the debut album by the Bangladeshi progressive metal band, Artcell, released in 2002 under G-Series. This album was highly appreciated by metal listeners. This album was one of the first to introduce and develop progressive metal music in Bangladesh. Their sound and compositions differed from other Bangla rock music during that time consisting of fingerstyle guitar intros, unique drum fills with the use of hi-hats and double bass and bass guitar tapping. Their playing style and sound got developed in their upcoming albums as time went on.
Artcell is a Bangladeshi progressive metal band formed in 23 October 1999, by vocalist and riff guitarist George Lincoln D'Costa, lead guitarist Ershad Zaman, bassist Saef Al Nazi Cézanne and drummer Kazi Sajjadul Asheqeen Shaju.
Bangladeshi rock music, or Bangla rock music, is a style of music in Bangladesh that is derived from British and American rock music, mixed with the Bengali classical and Adhunik musical styles from the 1960s. The genre was introduced in the 1960s by a few bands who began developing a distinctive rock sound. Bangladeshi rock is commonly divided into two categories: East Pakistan rock, and Bangladesh rock. From the 1970s to the 2000s, it was one of the nation's most popular musical genres.
Warfaze is a Bangladeshi heavy metal band formed on 6 June 1984 in Dhaka by Ibrahim Ahmed Kamal, Meer, Helal, Naimul, and Bapi. They are one of the earliest heavy metal bands in Bangladesh. The band had numerous line-up changes since 1984 and since its inception, the band has released seven studio albums, one compilation album, and several singles. They have experimented with numerous sub-genres of rock and heavy metal over the years.
Iresh Zaker is a Bangladeshi advertising executive, television and film actor and a musician. He is the managing director of Asiatic 360, a marketing and advertising company, owned and operated by his parents, actors Aly Zaker and Sara Zaker. Most of Iresh Zaker's work as an actor has been in television, but he has also played negative roles in several films. He won the National Film Awards Best Performance in a Negative Role in 2015 for his portrayal of antagonist Danny in Chuye Dile Mon.
Ibrahim Ahmed Kamal is a Bangladeshi guitarist, songwriter and producer. He is the lead guitarist and the founder of the heavy metal band Warfaze. He has been the band's guitarist and composer for three decades.
Indalo is a Bangladeshi rock superband formed in 2012 by Jon Kabir.
Bangladeshi heavy metal or Bangla heavy metal was originated from the evolution of British and American heavy metal bands of the 1980s. Bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica and Megadeth have had the greatest influences on Bangladeshi heavy metal musicians. Other 1970s bands to influence are bands like Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and Motörhead. The first bands to play heavy metal in Bangladesh were bands like Warfaze and Rockstrata. The most prominent era for heavy metal movement was between the early 1990s to early 2000s. Warfaze, Rockstrata, Aces and in Dhaka are often considered as the "big four founders of heavy metal". Other 2000s metal bands are bands like Artcell, Aurthohin, Cryptic Fate, Powersurge, Mechanix, Metal Maze, Vibe and Stentorian. Alternative bands like Nemesis, Arbovirus and Black also played some alternative metal songs over the years. Warfaze, Artcell and Aurthohin together are the most popular rock/metal trio of Bangladesh.
Otritio is the third album by the Bangladeshi metal band Artcell, released in 2023. After a hiatus of 17 years, this is their next album release.
Vibe was a heavy metal/alternative rock band from Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was formed in 2001 but has been inactive since 2007.
