Most Popular Heavy Metal Bands (2003-2023)

Timeline History of the Most Popular Heavy Metal Bands from 2003 to 2023 by months.The numbers represent the internet searches per month for bands (not for representative band members).

Iron Maiden, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Megadeth, Pantera, Avenged Sevenfold, Motörhead, Dio, Slipknot, Slipknot, Disturbed, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Slayer, System of a Down, Nightwish, Korn, Sabaton, Godsmack, Bullet for My Valentine, Lacuna coil, Sepultura, Dream Theater, Amon Amarth, Trivium, Arch Enemy, Within Temptation...So much changed their career and popularity

Note that the the searches are found by using data from multiple sources and might be slighlty off form actual values.

[MiniLemmy]

I’m amazed that Rammstein never made the list - they always have strong ticket sales wherever they play in the world

[avsilnedras]

Glad to see Nightwish, Within Temptation and Lacuna Coil as some of the most popular heavy metal bands

[lusario]

Cool to see Nightwish do so well, and to see Arch Enemy climb in there also

[Harrock]

Where is RAMMSTEIN ? They had 2 massive Stadium tours in 2019 and 2022 … they can’t be lower than Sabaton or distrurbed

[tropicalhockeytb]

I'm partial. I'm a Maiden fan. 48 years later, still ROCKING. UP THE IRONS!!!

[reynoelearlhablero]

Metallica's popularity is consistent from 80's up to now!

[hybrd_]

Pantera is like the only band that remained in the top of popularity without even existing at that time.

[carlosostorga]

Orgulloso de ver a Nightwish competir en popularidad por dos décadas con gigantes del metal.

[misterr]

Miss Helloween, Rammstein or Ghost. Sure they were in the top in some moment

[Shaxo]

I like how through out all these years, slipknot has stayed consistently in the top 5 spots.

[jpmtlhead]

Without any doubt, that Iron Maiden are the Greatest Heavy Metal Band Ever.
Since 1979 always on the top, even more astonishing its the fact that this list is from 2003/2023, not particulary Maiden best years, with all this new bands, new gentes, new everything coming up...but nevertheless Maiden still can show who is the Best.
And all of this "Alone" without any Help from the mainstream machine, but above all Never Sold their Souls for Fame and Fortune, like many on this list did, specialy the 4 turds who only released 4 good albuns, and since the last 30 + years its shit after shit.
Like in the Wisdom words of the great Lemmy " that's the real prostitution, when you give up stand by your principles and Start to Obey for their ( labels) demands".
Very true RIP Lemmy
Motorhead or Maiden always swim free among the Big sharks, and they prevail.

[junechevalier]

I got into symphonic metal around 08/09 but funnily enough it wasn’t Nightwish or Within Temptation that I heard about first. It was Sirenia!

[Metalton]

Odd that Five Finger Death Punch never made it in terms of Google Search popularity, considering their 7 million monthly listners and multiple +100 million plays on their hits.
Even if they are a VERY America-centric band.

[Imzadi]

Fun to see Sabaton making their way into the hearts of many!

[JayGhost]

"The numbers represent the internet searches per month for bands" not the great, not the most popular, just internet search. My only concern was: it peaked at 13millons (2004) and 1millon nowadays... Sad for the whole metal scene.

[jonbovi]

cool to see a genre that is not afraid of changes

[Windlespoon]

My favorits are: Megadeth, System of a Down and Nightwish. I like Slayer and Metallica too.

[vera_n]

Love to see Korn up high in the list with their last album. They gonna celebrate 30th anniversary next year and still going great

[alexandrejeannin]

I'm surprised not to see Helloween charting since the reunion tours in 2017 and also the new album in 2021...

[chrisparnham]

The two that seemed to to be in top 5 virtually all the time were Iron Maiden and Metallica. What's going to happen when those 2 give up? It was great to see Nightwish do so well they and the other Nordic bands are carrying the flag for heavy metal these days.