10 Best Live Acts In Metal Today

Coming soon to a town near you.

James Hetfield from Metallica performs at a private concert for SiriusXM listeners at the Apollo Theater on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Charles Sykes/AP

There are few things in life that are as enjoyable as a live concert. After all, this is the artist at their most raw, and their most real. Away from the assistance of the recording studio there is much room for error, and it can be the defining factor between a good band and a great one.

As complex as heavy music can be, there are certain acts out there that have proven their worth over the years, and make even the most difficult song seem like child's play. Whether this ability comes from years of practice, or from natural talent, it's always a joy to see a great band owning the stage.

There are so many contributing elements when it comes to the creation of a top-class live act, they have to have a perfect mix of musical talent, charisma, and stage presence, but they must also carry some great songs and sport a good look to top it all off.

Some acts out there will never reach these targets, but a certain few have managed to crack the code, and master the formula for the perfect live act...

10. Korn

With over two decades together, the dreadlocked nu metal trailblazers are still churning out some of the best live performances of their careers. In fact, Jonathan Davis and co have not lost a single step, delivering sell-out tours and killer festival performances.

Davis’ standard vocals are still on point, and his screaming amazingly seems to have improved, with the unclean vocal work receiving a huge boost in power and aggression when seen on stage. The riffwork of Munky and Head is as heavy as ever, and Fieldy still owns the bass.

Even fans of the band’s more mainstream work can find enjoyment in their live shows, as attested to by several excellent Reading & Leeds Festival performances. Korn even make the effort to use their more electronic material at these shows, highlighting their ever-positive attitude towards musical diversity.

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WhatCulture contributor with a love of heavy metal and horror.