The 10 Richest Metal Bands in the World
Heavy metal is a huge part of the culture, but it’s not just a great way to get out your anger; it also pays off big time. Some band members are just making six figures, but others have used their music to amass net worths of hundreds of millions of dollars — and unlike other celebrities, they did it from playing music.
That’s one impressive talent that should not be underestimated!
10. Slipknot Estimated Net Worth: $30 Million
Slipknot is an American heavy metal band that formed in 1995 in Des Moines, Iowa. In 2004, the band released their first record. This was the beginning of the group’s success.
Since then, they have released a few more albums and had some of their songs featured on several television shows and video games. The band has sold more than 25 million records.
The band has toured all around the world and will keep touring, giving fans more opportunities to watch them in action. Lead singer Corey Taylor's own personal net worth has been estimated at $12 Million from songwriting credits, as well as his solo work as CMFT.
Slipknot also makes a significant portion of their income from their recent business venture Knotfest, which is their own traveling metal festival that rivals those like Warped Tour and Mayhem Fest.
9. Slayer Estimated Net Worth: $35 Million
Slayer is an American thrash metal band that formed in 1981 in Huntington Park, California. They have sold more than 15 million albums in the United States as well as 32 million albums worldwide.
The band has received two Grammy nominations and three MTV Video Music Award nominations for their music videos, including one for the “Raining Blood” music video. Slayer is considered one of the "big four" in thrash metal, and have made millions of dollars in revenue over the years from both music streaming, sales, and touring.
Slayer has also had several other line-ups throughout the years, but since 2003 the band has been a four piece; vocalist Tom Araya, guitarist Kerry King, bassist Jeff Hanneman and drummer Dave Lombardo. With the combined net worth of these four key players, the band is cemented as one of the richest metal bands in history.
8. Anthrax Estimated Net Worth: $35 Million
Anthrax is an American thrash metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. The band is composed of guitarist Scott Ian, drummer Charlie Benante, and lead vocalist Joey Belladonna.
The band has sold more than 19 million records in the United States as well as 50 million records worldwide. Anthrax emphasizes songs that are fast and aggressive, also a part of the "big four" in thrash metal.
They released numerous successful albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including Among the Living ,Spreading the Disease and Sound of White Noise .
7. Megadeth Estimated Net Worth: $40 Million
Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles, California 1983. They have sold more than 15 million records worldwide and have been nominated for five Grammy Awards.
The band has also been ranked number 94 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. They were ranked number 66 on MTV's "Top 100 Metal Vids" video countdown and number 4 in the 2011 "Heavy Metal Thunder" awards category. Their lead singer Dave Mustaine alone has a net worth of $20M, attributed to his own investments and songwriting credits on the entire Megadeth catalog.
6. Korn Estimated Net Worth: $60 Million
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The band is composed of guitarist Brian Welch, bassist Fieldy Arvizu, drummer Ray Luzier and lead vocalist Jonathan Davis.
Korn has sold over 35 million records since their debut in 1994 and have received two Grammy nominations. Jonathan Davis' personal net worth is estimated between $40 and $50 Million, from a variety of investments, producing projects, and his successful solo career.
5. Tool Estimated Net Worth: $70 Million
Tool is an American alternative metal band from Los Angeles, California. The band is composed of drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, bassist Justin Chancellor and lead vocalist Maynard James Keenan.
They have sold over 10 million records since their debut in 1991 and have received one Grammy Award nomination. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Maynard James Keenan's personal net worth is estimated at $50 Million as of 2018, from his successful solo career and investments in his own wine company.
4. Judas Priest Estimated Net Worth: $80 Million
Judas Priest is an English heavy metal band from Birmingham. The band was formed in 1969 and are still active today, with lead singer Rob Halford being the only consistent member.
Their total album sales are over 10 million units and they have received several Grammy nominations throughout their career. Their net worth is in part attributed to their impressive amount of touring throughout their entire career.
3. Iron Maiden Estimated Net Worth: $100 Million
Iron Maiden is an English heavy metal band formed in 1975. Their enormous success in the 1980s earned them a spot on the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's "Highest-earning musicians".
The band has sold over 100 million records worldwide and have received numerous awards during their career, including two Grammy nominations. Iron Maiden's personal net worth is part attributed to their extensive touring across the globe.
2. Ozzy Osbourne Estimated Net Worth: $225 Million
Ozzy Osbourne is an English musician and entertainer, known for being one of the lead vocalists and founding members of the rock band Black Sabbath, who are known around the world for their fusion of heavy metal music with occult themes.
He had a successful solo career outside of Black Sabbath, along with endeavors like Ozzfest, and of course the hit reality TV show The Osbournes, which aired on MTV from 2002 to 2005.
1. Metallica Estimated Net Worth: $500 Million
Metallica is without a doubt the biggest metal band in the world. They are an American heavy metal band formed in 1981 and based in San Francisco, California. Metallica has sold over 110 million records worldwide, which puts them among the best-selling artists in the world.
The band's personal net worth is attributed to their continued touring, licensing and publishing deals, iconic merchandise, and of course their record sales and streaming numbers.
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Written by Dana Hanson
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