Staff Picks: 5 Metal Bands to Jam While Staying In from Anne Erickson

Listening to music is always a great way to spend an evening at home, and since we're all at home a lot more now due to the coronavirus pandemic, it's the perfect time to crank it. Here are five metal bands that are getting me through this wild time.

Amon Amarth. I'll never forget going to Mayhem Festival one year and discovering Amon Amarth. As I walked to the stage at DTE, I thought, "What on earth is this Viking ship setup doing on the stage?" Well, it was for the great Amon Amarth, who proceeded to impress me with melodic death metal and the regal feel of Scandinavian viking lore. I'm part Norwegian, so appreciate the viking theme.

Mastodon. I'll always have a special place in my heart for Mastodon. They're one of the first modern(ish) metal bands I really got into, and I've seen them live so many times that I've lost count. Not only are they innovative musicians, but their live show is always incredible. I've interviewed Bill Kelliher a bunch, and he's one of the most down-to-earth, nicest guys.

Iron Maiden. Bruce Dickinson is one of my all-time favorite metal vocalists, and once in a while, I have to sit back and listen to some good ol' Iron Maiden for a few hours. Who doesn't? They have such a deep catalog that they're perfect to crank when you have extra time at home.

Killswitch Engage. "The End of Heartache" is the album that made me fall in love with Killswitch Engage. After hearing that album's title track, I knew I would be a lifetime fan. The Massachusetts guys have eight albums of triumphant metal-core to crank during this time, and whether Howard Jones or Jesse Leach are on vocals, you're in for a metal treat.

Judas Priest. If you haven't listened to Judas Priest lately, then now is a great time to pull out some classic Priest tunes. After all, this year marks Judas Priest's 50th anniversary as a band, so that makes it even more appropriate. They have a whopping 18 albums in their discography to rock!