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.

Metallica the band often considered the fathers of thrash metal. To my knowledge James Hetfield has writing credit on every Metallica song other than Anesthesia. He’s written the majority of riffs and lyrics over the years. For that reason his influences are the strongest in the band. Lars is listed along side James on most of their songs. He often provides the role of tweaking and arranging the songs to get them to their final versions and is an important part of the writing process. Kirk has written far less riffs but has still written some very important ones and his leads help make Metallica what it is. Cliff has less writing credits but was still an important member during his time. He had most of his writing credits on Ride the Lightning, a few on Master of Puppets and one on both Kill ‘em All and And Justice. Newsted and Trujillo both also have contributed to writing in their times but to a lesser extent to that of James, Lars, or Kirk. It’s also a point to note is that Dave Mustaine has writing credits on Metallica’s early albums and was an important member during his time. His influences will however not be listed in the main section but will be the heart of Megadeth’s family tree. Bob Rock is listed as a co-writer with the rest of the band on St. Anger, but fuck him!

Hendrix was probably the most influential guitar player of the 60’s. Besides influencing the lead guitar players everywhere including Kirk, he was also a big influence on Cliff.

MC5 are one of the earliest if no the earliest hard rock band. Lars mentions they loved those guys.

Stanley Clarke

Deep Purple pre-date metal but picked up a more metal sound when metal first began. They’ve inspired many bands. They were Lars’s favorite band as a kid and still is today.

Perhaps the most Iconic hard rock band, Led Zeppelin has had a huge impact on in music. When asked to name a favorite band, Zeppelin was once considered by James.

The fathers of all heavy metal, Black Sabbath is an inspiration to nearly every metal band. James has often referred to Tony as the ultimate riff master combining heaviness and melody. James and Rob Trujillo both name Sabbath as their favorite band.… — The fathers of all heavy metal, Black Sabbath is an inspiration to nearly every metal band. James has often referred to Tony as the ultimate riff master combining heaviness and melody. James and Rob Trujillo both name Sabbath as their favorite band. Cliff was influenced heavily by Geezer as well as by Tony.

Although UFO started out as a space rock band but when Micheal Schenker joined they moved to a hard rock / heavy metal sound. Schenker was a huge influence on Kirk, and James said that Micheal Schenker was one of his favorite guitar players when it … — Although UFO started out as a space rock band but when Micheal Schenker joined they moved to a hard rock / heavy metal sound. Schenker was a huge influence on Kirk, and James said that Micheal Schenker was one of his favorite guitar players when it comes to melody.

Thin Lizzy known for their incredible harmonies has inspired plenty of bands. Cliff was a huge fan inspired by both their guitar and bass parts. It was also Brian Robertson who Kirk said he first heard use wha-wha which is a huge part of Kirk’s lead… — Thin Lizzy known for their incredible harmonies has inspired plenty of bands. Cliff was a huge fan inspired by both their guitar and bass parts. It was also Brian Robertson who Kirk said he first heard use wha-wha which is a huge part of Kirk’s lead playing.

Scorpions are one of the earliest metal bands after Sabbath and their guitar players were hugely inspirational to many players after them. James sited Rudolf Schenker as one of his influences. Kirk was hugely influenced by Uli Jon (Ulrich) Roth, and… — Scorpions are one of the earliest metal bands after Sabbath and their guitar players were hugely inspirational to many players after them. James sited Rudolf Schenker as one of his influences. Kirk was hugely influenced by Uli Jon (Ulrich) Roth, and both Michael and Rudolf Schenker as well as Matthias Jabs. Cliff also said Uli Jon Roth as well as Schenker were an influence on him.

One of the biggest American rock / hard rock bands, Aerosmith was a big influence on James as a kid. Cliff was a big fan as well.

The iconic southern rock band was a band Cliff often listened to. One of their riffs even ended up used in “The Four Horsemen” when Dave jokingly played it and Lars thought it sounded good.

The Stooges are considered the predecessor to punk. Las said they loved those guys.

Rush are a real musician’s band. Every member being great at what they do. The Iconic Progress Hard Rock band has had an influence on most prog bands after them. Geddy Lee has been inspiring bass players everywhere and Cliff was no exception.

The metal gods them selves is another band that has been listed and an influence by Lars.

Ted Nugent one of the great American guitar players of the 70’s inspired many guitar players in the 80’s and beyond. Where Lars had a lot more European influences, James also had the Nuge as an influence.

The quintessential hard rock band, AC/DC has been a huge inspiration to many metal bands. James sites Malcolm Young as being a great rhythm guitarist and influence on him.

Motorhead’s speed and raw sound is the an important part in the growth of metal. James has often said that with out Motorhead there would be no Metallica.

The fathers of punk, the Ramones! James has said he really gravitated to the down picking style of Johnny Ramone

Diamond Head was part of the NWOBHM movement and had a huge impact on James and Lars. In the early days Metallica would play Diamond Head songs and not mention they were covers. They wold later cover them on the Garage Inc album. Lars particularly w… — Diamond Head was part of the NWOBHM movement and had a huge impact on James and Lars. In the early days Metallica would play Diamond Head songs and not mention they were covers. They wold later cover them on the Garage Inc album. Lars particularly wanted to start a band that sounded like Diamond Head when he moved to the states.

When asked top five albums, Cliff said anything Danzig. He was a big fan of both Misfits and Samhain.

Angle Witch was one of the biggest bands of in the NWOBHM movement. Metallica, particularly Lars was heavily influenced by many in the movement including Angel Witch

Saxon was probably the band that really kicked off the NWOBHM movement and a to often overlooked band. Lars named them as one of the bands him and James listened to together in the early days.

The all girl band Girlschool proved women can play metal to. Part of the NWOBHM movement, they are often known for their collaborations with Motorhead. Lars named them as a band him and James listened to together in the early days.

The biggest of all the NWOBHM bands. How could they not be on this list. They have been an influence on Metalllica, and they have even covered Maiden. I remember an interview where James said he wanted to sound like Maiden’s singer. I think he was a… — The biggest of all the NWOBHM bands. How could they not be on this list. They have been an influence on Metalllica, and they have even covered Maiden. I remember an interview where James said he wanted to sound like Maiden’s singer. I think he was actually referring to Paul and was talking about the Killers album.

Tygers of Pan Tang was another NWOBHM band listed as an early influence by Lars.

Venom continued the fast and raw sound of Motorhead and took it to a new level influencing entire genres after them. Lars named them as an early influence.

Mercyful Fate is often cited as an influence by thrash guitarists. Lars has stated that Mercyful Fate had a big part shaping Metallica’s sound.

Soundgarden are grunge pioneers. Kirk said they were an inspirations on the Black album, particularly the riff for “Enter Sandman” came from a Soundgarden influence.

System of a Down was often lumped in with nu metal but really are more alternative metal. Like them or not they are a very unique band. Lars has stated he was a big fan of the Toxicity album and said they were very inspirational. St. Anger was a ver… — System of a Down was often lumped in with nu metal but really are more alternative metal. Like them or not they are a very unique band. Lars has stated he was a big fan of the Toxicity album and said they were very inspirational. St. Anger was a very alternative metal so likely the System influence is found there.

Kirk has a lot of influences that don’t show in Metallica including more blues and jazz influences.

Cliff said he really liked some R.E.M. however I’m not sure they were very influential on him and he didn’t say they was that I know of.

Jason Newsted was influenced by a lot of funk and soul and on the metal side he names Iron Maiden, Metallica, Exodus, and Slayer. He says his roots are Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motorhead He also said he was influenced by a little bit of punk. In an 89 interview he said he was recently into James Jameson, and Philmo Johnstub.

Robert Trujillo’s influences include: Jaco Pastorius (Weather Report), Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath), Earth Wind & Fire, Kool and the Gang, Ohio Players, Led Zeppelin, Anthony Jackson, Randy Jackson, and numerous fusion players.

Bands influenced by Metallica!

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

Kerry and Jeff were influenced by Metallica in the early days back when Dave was in the band and they were playing house parties.

Classic Death Metal

Taking black metal in a progressive direction.

Probably the most important band in Symphonic Metal.

Metal-core heavily inspired by Metallica

Aggressive new wave thrashers.

Possibly the biggest of the new wave of thrash bands.

Albums Ranked: Metallica

Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6bCDXTbFUM
https://guitar.com/features/metallica-jason-newsted-interview/
https://forbassplayersonly.com/interview-robert-trujillo/
https://www.guitarworld.com/features/metallicas-robert-trujillo-on-the-art-of-simplicity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mdwxz8LRno
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkLQUkLP6Ss
https://loudwire.com/metallica-kirk-hammet-names-song-inspired-use-wah-pedal/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdQqTT8UeL8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrVXerAmmlE
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/metallicas-lars-ulrich-my-15-favorite-metal-and-hard-rock-albums-198380/judas-priest-unleashed-in-the-east-1979-198660/
http://www.artistwd.com/joyzine/music/burton/burton.php#.Uvy9Z4VWivk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXzFQcPJ7fE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McLASZSnwHc
https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metallicas-lars-ulrich-recalls-meeting-james-hetfield-for-first-time-he-was-very-shy-and-super-introverted/
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/metallica-talk-crazy-fan-meetings-lou-reed-lemmy-inspired-song-127795/
https://www.newsweek.com/metallicas-james-hetfield-rides-lightning-newsweek-553333
https://eddietrunk.com/james-hetfield-discusses-his-musical-influences-his-favorite-metallica-album-and-cliff-burton/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuTMuju-EN4
https://userpages.umbc.edu/~thuff1/metallica.html
https://guitar.com/news/kirk-hammett-reveals-enter-sandman-riff-was-inspired-by-soundgarden/?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=