10 of the Best Metal Latin American Bands of All Time

The best Latin American metal bands don’t always get the recognition they deserve because of the language barrier and lack of a platform. Metal music in Latin America, while very passionate, has never been very profitable for the bands involved. However, that has not stopped some bands from delivering some truly outstanding pieces of music.

When it comes to the best Latin American metal bands, there is a lot of variety and history to address. Countries like Argentina, Brazil, and even Venezuela have a long history in the genre that is not that known. Furthermore, some of the albums these bands have produced can compete with anything that comes out from more mainstream scenes.

1. Rata Blanca (Argentina)

The Argentine band is known for being one of the most important in the Latin American metal scene. Their style encompasses has been a mix of hard rock, heavy metal, power metal, and power ballad with elements of more classical music. Some people have compared Rata Blanca to the likes of Deep Purple, Rainbow, Whitesnake, and Iron Maiden.

Walter Giardino, guitarist, leader, and only constant member of Rata Blanca, founded the band in 1985, when he separated from V8, another prominent band, and decided to record songs of his own. Giardino was looking for a style a little less heavy since, at the time, that style did not seem to have a very hopeful future.

The band went through several problems in 1997 and decided to separate, although in 2001 they reformed and have remained active to this day. The combination of Giardino‘s guitar and the voice of its singer, Adrian Barilari, has become the band’s characteristic style. Furthermore, they have enjoyed considerable commercial success across Latin America.

Furthermore, when it comes to the best Latin American metal bands, Rata Blanca has some considerable hits. “La Leyenda del Hada y del Mago” (The Legend of the Fairy and the Wizard) is the band’s usual gateway song. And “Mujer Amante” (Loving Woman) is a ballad that has transcended genres in Latin America. It is not a stretch to claim Rata Blanca is the most popular among Spanish-speaking metal bands.

2. V8 (Argentina)

It is one of the most influential bands in Argentine and Latin American metal. Its influence is inversely proportional to the little commercial success it achieved at the time. Their style was much heavier than Rata Blanca‘s, falling into the categories of heavy metal, thrash and speed metal. All things considered, it makes sense that Walter Giardino would want to move on to a more accessible sound at the time.

Although the band was formed in 1979, their first album, “Luchando por el Metal” (Fighting for Metal), came out in 1983. V8 was only active until 1987, so they lasted less than a decade together, although it left the basis of what would become Argentine metal in the following years. The band’s lyrics were heavily focused on rebellion against authority and social critique, which was a direct result of the country’s state at the time.

A newcomer would do well to listen to “Luchando por el Metal” as an entry point. Its sound is fairly similar to heavier versions of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, which was definitely inspired by. Furthermore, V8 is a very good example of not being at the right place at the right time. Latin America didn’t have a platform for this kind of music and this group definitely suffered because of it. It is a shame because the few albums they did are quite good.

3. Resistência (Venezuela)

The Venezuelan band emerged in the early 80s as an anomaly within a country that did not have bands of this style. Resistencia brought a sound that could be comparable to the main bands of the New Wave of British Metal. That alone made them a rarity when compared to the more “garage”-sounding bands that emerged in Venezuela.

Their first albums, “Hecho en Venezuela” (Made in Venezuela) and “Estrategia contra el Movimiento” (Strategy against Movement), from 1981 and 1984, respectively, have a style that still sounds fresh and current today. That is why Resistencia is among the best Latin American metal bands: the ability to experiment and push the envelope.

“Hecho en Venezuela” has a classic 80s metal feel but with a lot of strong musicianship. Tracks like “Hassan Ben Sabbath“, “Angeles Cayendo”  (Angels Falling), and “Resistencia” (Resistance) show the band’s technical proficiency. Furthermore, “Muerto en Vida” (Living Dead) is a proto-speed metal track that wouldn’t be out of place in a Judas Priest record.

“Estrategia contra el Movimiento“, on the other hand, doubles down on the experimental angle. “Mas Alla de la Historia” (Beyond the History), could be considered one of Latin America’s first-ever progressive metal tracks.

4. Kraken (Colombia)

Kraken is the most important metal band in Colombia and that is why it is among the best Latin American metal bands. It was founded in 1984 and they have remained active since then, going through various styles throughout those years. Kraken have played hard rock, symphonic metal, progressive, heavy metal, power metal and glam throughout its discography.

In 2018, after the death of the band’s longtime singer, Elkin Ramírez, Kraken opted for a significant change by bringing in Roxana Restrepo as vocalist. This has meant a change in the band’s sound, a little more oriented to what Epica or Nightwish do internationally.

Kraken is the kind of band that people need to listen from the very beginning. Part of enjoying these Colombian legends is by witnessing their evolution and how they have gone through so many eras. It is one of the longest-running metal bands in Latin America for a reason.

5. Parasyche (Chile)

Unlike most of the groups on the list of best Latin American metal bands, Parasyche is a much “younger” entity. Despite this, their heavy and melodic style that has developed internationally in the last decade, makes them stand out in the Latin American market.

The Chilean band was formed in 2010 although their first album, “Insanity Origins“, was released in 2017. Parasyche is an example of how bands can gain popularity today, taking advantage of social media. The vocalist, Nico Borie, is famous on social media, mainly on YouTube, where he has 1.75 million subscribers, for his imitations of great rock and metal singers and his Spanish versions of great classics of these genres. From the fame of Borie, Parasyche became known at a level far beyond the Chilean borders.

Borie eventually left the band but the impact and popularity of the band has still continued. The debut album is definitely their strongest offering, with tracks such as “Wolf Inside” deserving of more attention.

6. Angra (Brazil)

There is no denying that Angra is one of the most successful Latin American groups of all time. The Brazilian band has a power metal sound that mixes elements of classic rock, progressive, neoclassical metal with more traditional elements of Brazilian music. Albums like “Angels Cry” (the debut album) or “Rebirth” are considered classics of modern power metal.

The band was formed in 1991 and has remained active since then with breaks between 1999 and 2001 and then between 2007 and 2009. It also has had several talented musicians, such as Andre Matos, Kiko Loureiro, Edu Falaschi, and Aquiles Priester. Without a doubt, Angra has a guaranteed place among the best Latin American metal bands.

Furthermore, that has dealt with the loss of several great musicians and has continued to produce great music. It also has an interesting element of currently having an Italian singer, Fabio Lione of Rhapsody of Fire fame. The band’s popularity with the power metal audiences has often grouped them with the European scene because of that.

7. Sepultura (Brazil)

Along with Angra, Sepultura is the best-known band worldwide on this list. The band emerged in 1984 from the hands of the brothers Max and Igor Cavalera, who are no longer in the group. They quickly became known as the most prominent metal band in Latin America as a whole. That goes as far as writing some records that have become thrash metal royalty throughout the years.

1989’s “Beneath the Remains” cemented the band as an extreme metal juggernaut and 1991’s “Arise” established them as a commercial titan. Sepultura is probably the biggest success story in the history of Latin American metal, being able to compete with the North American and European scenes. There were very few extreme bands in the early 90s that had the success of the Brazilians.

As the years went by, Sepultura underwent many member changes and their sound gradually changed to something more alternative, industrial and nu metal. The changes were so many that none of the Cavalera brothers are still in the band today. Despite this, Sepultura‘s influence on Latin American metal and thrash metal in general is indisputable.

The band is bound to retire in the near future, as per their own announcements. While it is going to be a sad departure, Sepultura‘s legacy is absolute. The biggest example of what Latin American metal can be at its absolute best.

8. Arkangel (Venezuela)

In addition to being one of the best Latin American metal bands, Arkangel is the longest-running prominent metal band on that side of the world. The band started in 1978 and has remained active until today. Arkangel combines elements of classic heavy metal with hard rock, which was a rarity in Venezuela at the time.

The self-titled 1981 album is widely considered the band’s best, which wouldn’t feel out of place in the North American market. Tracks such as “Libertad” (Freedom), “Vagon de la Muerte” (Death Wagon), and “Baron Rojo” (Red Baron) are considered all-time classics in Venezuelan metal.

Throughout the years, Arkangel has developed a heavier, more power metal-based sound. Despite the years, the band still has two original members who have not left the band in its entire history, the brothers Giancarlo and Giorgio Picozzi. It is a good idea to start with the first three albums, which are widely regarded as the best in the band’s catalogue.

9. Ágora (Mexico)

The Mexican band is the most prominent in its country and stands out among the rest of the Latin American bands for its sound. Progressive rock has not been as popular within the Latin American scene and that makes Ágora have a greater impact. Its fame and music have led them to share the stage with great bands such as Helloween or Deep Purple.

The band’s fourth album, 2011’s “Regreso al Vertigo” (Return to Vertigo), is widely considered their best. It shows a strong combination of progressive metal with some great melodies. It is a very solid starting point and can give newcomers a sense of what they are all about.

Ágora released “Empire” in 2023, which is an English version of their 2020 album, “Imperio” (Empire in Spanish). This record has a more noticeable power metal feel but English-speaking listeners might be more drawn to “Empire” because of the language. Regardless, this Mexican band deserves a lot more recognition in the metal scene.

10. Pentagram (Chile)

In parallel with the birth of Sepultura in Brazil and the thrash metal movement in the region, Pentagram was born in Chile. Pentagram emerged in 1985 as a death and thrash metal band with a sound that had an influence on important bands of the genre. For example, a band like Napalm Death, has gone on record saying they were influenced by this group. In fact, their song “Demonic Possession” was covered by this band in the latter’s 1999 EP, “Leaders Not Followers“.

Until 2009, Pentagram only had short periods of activity, the longest being from 1985 to 1988. That goes as far as releasing its first album in 2013, having only demos, EPs and live albums until that date. This did not prevent Pentagram from being recognized by the metal community or its presence among the best Latin American metal bands.