One theme has been intertwined with metal from day one. That theme is evil. Not all metal bands are evil, nor do they all utilize evil themes in their music. However, an evil motif has become the most poignant representative characteristic of metal. It's kind of like superheroes and comic books. Not all comics are about superheroes, but the word "comic" has become synonymous with "superhero" due to their prominence in the medium. The following are the bands I consider to be the most evil bands in the history of metal. Some of these bands had members who actually committed genuinely evil acts, while some only referenced evil in their music.
























10. Black Sabbath
Everyone knows now that the members of Black Sabbath are perfectly pleasant human beings. At the time, however, they were seen by many (conservative parents) as being Satan's minions sent to corrupt and destroy the Earth. They were the first band to have truly dark and evil motifs as a central characteristic of their music. With the exception of a certain bird whom vocalisit Ozzy Osbourne nommed, the members of the band wouldn't hurt a fly in real life.
























9. Venom
As evil as Sabbath's music was, the boys in Venom took it one step further... OK more like ten steps further. There was no subtlety to Venom's act. Described at the time as an "evil version of Motörhead," the band was very forthright with their Satanic imagery. They coined the term "black metal" but were actually more of a thrash metal band by sound. Their music, lyrics and persona have been influential to just about every band on this list not named Black Sabbath.




















8. Mercyful Fate
Mercyful Fate are a band oft-forgotten by metal fans because of their short tenure in the scene. Their frontman, King Diamond, has gone on to perhaps greater fame with his solo act. Taking a cue from the sensational hard-rocker Alice Cooper, Mercyful Fate's stage show contained the same sort of wild antics and dark imagery. The band was hugely influential on the black-metal scene, although they possessed more of a traditional heavy-metal sound.
























7. Slayer
Slayer weren't the first "evil" band, but they are the epitome of evil in the general public's mind. You can say this: without Slayer's Hell Awaits and Reign in Blood albums, the following bands on this list might not exist.
























6. Morbid Angel
Morbid Angel built on Slayer's foundation, taking thrash metal and mutilating and deforming it into death metal. Their first album, Altars of Madness, can best be described as Slayer with death growls, blastbeats, and an even further descent into hellish imagery.























5. Cannibal Corpse
Compared to the following Norwegian bands, Cannibal Corpse are choir boys. In terms of fictional evil, however, Corpse are as bad as it gets. Cannibal Corpse are the progenitors of perhaps the most depraved lyrics of all time. Original vocalist Chris Barnes in particular wrote lyrics that would make Hannibal Lecter squirm. Maybe it is the complete sincerity with which Cannibal Corpse plays their music that makes it so evil. Somehow, as gory as their lyrics are, their show is not particularly campy, but instead stoic and sincere.

























4. Deicide
Deicide frontman Glen Benton is one scary mother----er. He once burned an inverted cross into his forehead. Benton has also insinuated an interest in the burning of live rodents. He once shot a squirrel with a pellet gun during an interview. Benton has also expressly stated a firm belief in and adherence to Satan. Some may say that Benton is full of hot air, but would you want to spend a week with him? I doubt it.























3. Emperor
What is the deal with these Norwegian bands? A prominent member of the Norwegian black-metal scene, Emperor, have been tied to their fair share of evil acts over the years. The band's original drummer, Bård Faust, was convicted of murdering a homosexual man in the woods near Lillehammer in 1993. Samoth, another member of the band - who is in fact still with them today - was one of the spearheads in a church burning movement which landed him in prison as well.
























2. Mayhem
While Euronymous is the one who was murdered by Vikernes (see: Burzum below), Varg has always maintained that Euronymous was actually planning to kill him and attacked him first. To be honest, I wouldn't put it past him. When Mayhem vocalist Dead killed himself with a shotgun blast to the head, Euronymous allegedly devoured a stew containing portions of Dead's brain. In addition, Euronymous has also made claim to fashioning a necklace for himself out of Dead's skull. Whether or not these claims are true, the fact that Euronymous was intent on making people believe them makes him a pretty sick f---.



























1. Burzum
Technically, Norwegian black-metallers Burzum are comprised of only one person - Varg Vikernes. Varg is perhaps the most notorious personality in the history of metal. As of this moment he sits in a prison cell convicted of the murder of Euronymous, the founding guitarist of fellow Norwegian black-metallers Mayhem. Varg was accused of stabbing him 23 times: twice to the head, five times to the neck and 16 times to the back. A definite motive for the murder has never been confirmed.