Lamb of God Family Tree

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Metal Family Tree

This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

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Lamb of God has become the band carrying groove metal forward. Although LOG got big during the same time as the metal-core movement they don’t sound much like those bands. LOG started as Burn The Priest in 94 and released their first demo in 95. LOG never got recognized widely until the early 2000’s but are not a band derivative of other groove bands. Their groove sound comes from Mark’s blues influence combined with the thrash of the other players of the band. With that said LOG actually combines a lot of the grindcore sound which came from hardcore and is where Randy’s influences are most obvious. LOG music is credited as written by the band; all members contribute to writing.

Mark, Willie, and Chris are all big fans of the thrash bands listed below.

The Rolling Stones are one of the biggest rock bands to come out of the 60’s and have kept at it all these years. Mark is a big fan of the stones.

The Rolling Stones are one of the biggest rock bands to come out of the 60’s and have kept at it all these years. Mark is a big fan of the stones.

Jimi Hendrix might not be expected on this list, but it hard to find guitar players who aren’t influenced by him. Mark says Hendrix was a huge influence on him early on.

Jimi Hendrix might not be expected on this list, but it hard to find guitar players who aren’t influenced by him. Mark says Hendrix was a huge influence on him early on.

Cream was heavy before there was metal with their blues/acid rock sound. Mark is a big fan of Eric Clapton especially with Cream and Blind Faith.

Cream was heavy before there was metal with their blues/acid rock sound. Mark is a big fan of Eric Clapton especially with Cream and Blind Faith.

Led-Zeppelin became on of the biggest and most influential bands. Mark considers Jimmy Page his favorite guitar player and biggest influence.

Led-Zeppelin became on of the biggest and most influential bands. Mark considers Jimmy Page his favorite guitar player and biggest influence.

The classic southern rock/blues rock band The Allman Brothers band. Mark is a huge fan and spent a lot of time playing along to their At Fillmore East album.

The classic southern rock/blues rock band The Allman Brothers band. Mark is a huge fan and spent a lot of time playing along to their At Fillmore East album.

Billy Cobham was a drummer who has played in many many groups. He’s primarily a jazz / jazz fusion player. Chris said he’s one of his big influences and names Mahavishnu Orchestra’s album Intermounting Flame as being a big influence on his playing.

Billy Cobham was a drummer who has played in many many groups. He’s primarily a jazz / jazz fusion player. Chris said he’s one of his big influences and names Mahavishnu Orchestra’s album Intermounting Flame as being a big influence on his playing.

ZZ Top, the blues/boogie/hard rock Texans. Mark is a huge fan of Billy Gibbons and especially ZZ Top’s early albums.

ZZ Top, the blues/boogie/hard rock Texans. Mark is a huge fan of Billy Gibbons and especially ZZ Top’s early albums.

The classic Aerosmith might seem odd on this list. When Chris first began learning to drum he was playing the first three Aerosmith albums. He says that he still finds him self doing things he picked up from then.

The classic Aerosmith might seem odd on this list. When Chris first began learning to drum he was playing the first three Aerosmith albums. He says that he still finds him self doing things he picked up from then.

Stevie Ray Vaughan is one of the all time great blues players. Mark is a big fan.

Stevie Ray Vaughan is one of the all time great blues players. Mark is a big fan.

For sure the most unique thing on this list, Prince Far I was a Reggae guy. Randy is a big fan of his vocals and this compilation album, Black Man Land. He said his voice really carried weight.

For sure the most unique thing on this list, Prince Far I was a Reggae guy. Randy is a big fan of his vocals and this compilation album, Black Man Land. He said his voice really carried weight.

Bauhaus were early goth rock pioneers. Randy is a fan.

Bauhaus were early goth rock pioneers. Randy is a fan.

Ozzy has had very talented guitar players over the years. Mark is a fan of both Randy Rhoads and Zakk Wylde.

Ozzy has had very talented guitar players over the years. Mark is a fan of both Randy Rhoads and Zakk Wylde.

Sisters of Mercy are an influential goth rock band. Randy is a big fan.

Sisters of Mercy are an influential goth rock band. Randy is a big fan.

The Accused were a early crossover band. They had a huge influence on Randy.

The Accused were a early crossover band. They had a huge influence on Randy.

The Fathers of Thrash, Metallica.

The Fathers of Thrash, Metallica.

Corrosion of Conformity may be more well known for their modern southern/stoner metal sound but they started as a hardcore punk/crossover band. Randy said they had an influence on him and said Animosity was one of his first records.

Corrosion of Conformity may be more well known for their modern southern/stoner metal sound but they started as a hardcore punk/crossover band. Randy said they had an influence on him and said Animosity was one of his first records.

Napalm Death are the pioneers of grindcore and later went into more of a death sound. They are one of Randy’s influences. He said he listened to their first two albums a lot.

Napalm Death are the pioneers of grindcore and later went into more of a death sound. They are one of Randy’s influences. He said he listened to their first two albums a lot.

Tones on Tail was a goth rock band that Randy is a fan of.

Tones on Tail was a goth rock band that Randy is a fan of.

The Faction were pioneers of skater punk and a band Randy listened to.

The Faction were pioneers of skater punk and a band Randy listened to.

The band that really brought an evil and aggressive sound to thrash.

The band that really brought an evil and aggressive sound to thrash.

D.R.I. are early pioneers of crossover which combined thrash and hardcore punk. Randy said their album Dealing With It! was one of his favorites in high school.

D.R.I. are early pioneers of crossover which combined thrash and hardcore punk. Randy said their album Dealing With It! was one of his favorites in high school.

Wrathchild America was an underground heavy/thrash band. After seeing them live Chris decided he wanted to play drums. At the time he was a bass player.

Wrathchild America was an underground heavy/thrash band. After seeing them live Chris decided he wanted to play drums. At the time he was a bass player.

Drunk Injuns was an old school skater punk band. They are one of Randy’s influences.

Drunk Injuns was an old school skater punk band. They are one of Randy’s influences.

One of the big 4 of thrash, Megadeth. Chris is heavily inspired Megadeth’s first drummer Gar Samuels. He says that Gar was the guy he wanted to emulate and the one ho made him want to play fast. Peace Sells is a huge influence on Mark.

The sometimes under appreciated thrash legends, Testament.

The sometimes under appreciated thrash legends, Testament.

Septic Death were a thrashcore band which is basically hardcore punk on speed. They were one of Randy’s influences.

Septic Death were a thrashcore band which is basically hardcore punk on speed. They were one of Randy’s influences.

Obituary are death metal legends and unlike many death metal bands they have often had a slower more groove driven sound. They are one of Randy’s death metal influences.

Obituary are death metal legends and unlike many death metal bands they have often had a slower more groove driven sound. They are one of Randy’s death metal influences.

Where a lot of the classic death metal bands are American, Bolt Thrower hail from England. They are one of Randy’s death metal influences.

Where a lot of the classic death metal bands are American, Bolt Thrower hail from England. They are one of Randy’s death metal influences.

Zakk Wylde got his start being Ozzy’s third guitar player but has since had solo albums as well as having a lot of success with Black Label Society. Mark names him as an influence.

Zakk Wylde got his start being Ozzy’s third guitar player but has since had solo albums as well as having a lot of success with Black Label Society. Mark names him as an influence.

Assück were a death/grind band. They are one of the band that inspired Randy. He was a fan of their singers “gnarly” deep voice.

Assück were a death/grind band. They are one of the band that inspired Randy. He was a fan of their singers “gnarly” deep voice.

The Jesus Lizard was a noise rock band in the 90’s It’s one of the 90’s punk bands Mark was into. Randy says their Liar album was a big influence on him as a front man.

The Jesus Lizard was a noise rock band in the 90’s It’s one of the 90’s punk bands Mark was into. Randy says their Liar album was a big influence on him as a front man.

Eyehategod are among the most prominent Sludge bands. They were a big influence on Randy.

Eyehategod are among the most prominent Sludge bands. They were a big influence on Randy.

Brutal Truth were a death / grind band. Randy said their vocalist was a big influence on him in the early days and listened to the album Need to Control a ton.

Brutal Truth were a death / grind band. Randy said their vocalist was a big influence on him in the early days and listened to the album Need to Control a ton.

The Black Crows are blues/southern rock band who got big in the 90’s. Mark says that Marc Ford is one of his favorite players.

The Black Crows are blues/southern rock band who got big in the 90’s. Mark says that Marc Ford is one of his favorite players.

Logical Nonsense were a underground hardcore/crust band. Randy named them as an influence being a big fan of Expand The Hive Randy’s style is very similar to their vocalists.

Logical Nonsense were a underground hardcore/crust band. Randy named them as an influence being a big fan of Expand The Hive Randy’s style is very similar to their vocalists.

Shellac is another noise rock band from the 90’s that Mark was into. Shellac was also a big inspiration on Randy

Shellac is another noise rock band from the 90’s that Mark was into. Shellac was also a big inspiration on Randy

Kepone was an indie rock side project of Michael Bishop better known for being in Gwar. Randy was a fan and use to see them a lot when they were a local act.

Kepone was an indie rock side project of Michael Bishop better known for being in Gwar. Randy was a fan and use to see them a lot when they were a local act.

Randy says he is not a metal head and has always been a punk. Most of his early influences are punk. He said he didn’t get into death metal until his 20’s. He said he liked some Black Sabbath, Metallica, and Slayer but mostly listened to Punk. During his time in prison he said that songs by The Misfits, Black Flag, and Bad Brains really helped him get through it. He was into some grindcore and considered it closely related to punk. He also was really into the band Breadwinner for their listenable complexity however they were instrumental so had no vocal influence. He said he’s also a fan of band Jawbreaker for their lyric but that their sound wasn’t as influential. Randy is also a fan of goth/new wave bands named above. They wouldn’t had made the list but Randy has been using clean vocal more in recent years and I’m betting some of those influences shine through there.

Willie says early he was inspired by Kirk Hammett, Alex Skolnick, and Dave Mustaine.

Before Mark was into metal he was into a lot of punk bands including Black Flag, Bad Religion, JFA, Suicidal Tendencies, G.B.H., and the Sex Pistols Mark was also into some 90’s punk from the Touch and Go and Dischord labels.

John grew up with the D.C. hardcore scene. He was first introduced to metal when Chris showed him …And Justice For All. He then got into Megadeth and Slayer but he says he primarliy listens to rock and roll and old school punk.

Bands influenced by Lamb of God!

As this project advances, bands will be added here… there are many!

Symphonic Metal

Symphonic Metal

Progressive Death

Progressive Death

Sources:

https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2016/05/21/cbs-sf-talks-to-lamb-of-god-singer-randy-blythe/
https://ink19.com/2007/09/magazine/interviews/lamb-of-god
http://www.vh1.com/video-clips/6atyu3/that-metal-show-lamb-of-god-on-their-influences
https://www.guitarworld.com/gw-archive/interview-lamb-gods-mark-morton-and-willie-adler-discuss
https://allaxess.com/video-interview-with-lamb-of-gods-willie-adler/
https://www.loudersound.com/features/under-the-influence-mark-morton
https://www.guitarworld.com/gw-archive/record-changed-my-life-mark-morton-lamb-god-discusses-megadeths-peace-sellsbut-whos-buying
https://loudwire.com/lamb-of-god-mark-morton-top-5-guitar-albums/
https://www.ranker.com/list/randy-blythe-lamb-of-god-influences/jon-wiederhorn
https://www.ghostcultmag.com/interview-randy-blythe-of-lamb-of-god-on-punk-rock/
https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2017/08/06/cbs-sf-talks-to-lamb-of-god-bassist-john-campbell/