I like to think of Heaven as my destination goal, once I leave this world of course. Yeah, it is cool for the Metal genres to write and sing about hell, hell’s kitchen, fires of hell, “Highway To Hell”, etc., etc., yet that is not where I want to be going. I often hope and wonder, will Heaven have everything that is “good” about our lives? Will heaven allow Heavy Metal? I would hope and pray that the late Jimi Hendrix is allowed to have his guitar and play up there in the clouds. I would not doubt for a second, that the angels and saints could not enjoy the late Joey Ramone’s singing. Music as a whole, has made planet Earth more enjoyable, music has definitely made my life more fun and inspiring, I am comfortable thinking I speak for millions of people.
Essentially, I believe in Heaven, therefore I believe there is all music represented up there since the beginning of time itself. From primitive to modern day, I have to believe the history of music is heard in Heaven. Well, it is always a hoot to imagine what kind of Metal bands have formed up in Heaven, with so many Rock legends hopefully being up there. I wonder if the late Buddy Holly is jamming out with the late Stevie Ray Vaughn? Is the late Jim Morrison leading a band or embarking on a career in poetry amongst the clouds and rainbows?
Here is a Heavy Metal band that could have possibly formed up in Rock & Roll Heaven. (I am sure there can be hundreds of different bands put together with this topic, this is just one band lineup that looks really cool).
Kevin DuBrow – lead vocals – (Quiet Riot)
Randy Rhoads – lead guitar – (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne)
Steve Clark – lead guitar too! – (Def Leppard)
Eric Carr – drums & percussion – (Kiss)
Cliff Burton – bass guitar – (Metallica)
Now, would this be a great band to see or what? I certainly think this band would be a kick! I also hope, that up there in Heaven, the battle of the Metal genres comes to a screeching halt. That is why I have the late Cliff Burton playing bass guitar with a bunch of Hair Metal legends. Wait a second, the late Randy Rhoads was not a Hair Metal guy, he was just plain amazing. The late Kevin DuBrow with Quiet Riot hold the honor and distinction of being the very first Heavy Metal album to hit #1 on the album charts. This achievement surely paved the way for Heavy Metal storming into the mainstream. I sure miss each and every one of these guys, the music they created will last here on Earth forever – or until that big unknown space rock collides with Earth and we are all evaporated within a zillionth of a micro second. That is why it is so essential to believe that all music, especially all the Metal genres are up there in Heaven waiting for all of us Metalheads – who believe.
Hey, I hold one heck of a strong allegiance to Thrash Metal. Veteran Thrash originators like Slayer, Metallica, Exodus, Anthrax, Megadeth, Destruction, Over Kill, Testament and even young newcomers like Black Tide and Warbringer set me straight on the road to Thrash Metal glee. My main point of this article is to shout out loudly and proudly to the entire world that – Kreator is one unbelievable Thrash Metal band, wow. What has me so impressed by Kreator, is that they have released 2 amazing Thrash albums in a row! Starting with “Enemy of God”, (released in January of 2005), then this January of 2009 brought us the incredible “Hordes of Chaos”. I am not, in any way, taking away the Thrash Metal greatness of their achievements from the 1980’s and 1990’s. Kreator has, experimented musically in the past, yet this has never been an abomination to me by any means. 
This is rather silly at best, although there is much proof out there as to why older Metalheads are called “old school”. These 4 reasons for being an old school Metalhead came to my mind, I just had to jot them down for the whole world to read. I am guilty of all 4 too. 
It is so refreshing, extremely comforting, to know that there are factually dozens of Heavy Metal and Hard Rock bands that MATTER, bashing out their new releases and touring, since the 1970’s and in some instances, the late 1960’s!! So much for critics who cite “shelf life” of Heavy Metal. There are so many legendary Heavy Metal bands out there that are in their 3rd or 4th decade of championing the flag of Metal for all of us Metalheads. I hereby SALUTE the following list of legendary and historical bands that were/still are instrumental in shaping and defining the world of METAL music – as we know it and enjoy it today. I say THANK YOU to these bands! It is my opinion, that these bands are still around today for they are masters of their musical craft. It is my METAL opinion, that each and every one of these bands belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (some bands on this list already are there). I may miss some bands that should be on this list, however feel free to comment on those bands who belong on this HEAVY METAL & HARD ROCK list and they shall be added. The criteria I am using is: The band is Heavy Metal or Hard Rock * The band has been around since the late 1960’s or 1970’s and still are performing as a band or members are doing solo careers and/or recording new material – the band is current. Here is the list (in no particular order), enjoy:
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
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