Metal Blade Owner Brian Slagel Predicts The Next Generation of Headliners in Heavy Metal

I hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but the classics in metal aren't going to be around forever. Black Sabbath is done, Ozzy Osbourne is in the process of calling it quits, Slayer is in the process of calling it quits, and quite of few of the greats have passed away. Which means it'll soon be time for newer bands to play the big shows the aforementioned once did.

In an interview with A New Level, Metal Blade CEO says he thinks the next big bands in metal will be bands like Ghost, Amon Amarth, Mastodon, Lamb Of God, and other bands that are "coming up in the ranks."

"I think the prediction for the future is that it's gonna get better and bigger and hopefully move up from there. And I also think we're starting to see the other aspects of this. We need to have the next set of headliners.

"Ozzy's on his last tour, Slayer's on their last tour… So you need bands that kind of get to that next level. Seeing a band like Ghost for example, they're gonna play The Forum in LA and Barclays Center in New York. And they're trying to make that leap up to being the next level arena band. And I know bands like Amon Amarth and Mastodon and Lamb of God are doing the same thing. So I'm excited about that.

"As a lot of people worry about who are gonna be the next headliners, I think they're coming up in the ranks. And once there's room, they'll come up as well."

Who else do you think he missed? Personally, I think Gojira is still breaking through to the mainstream like that, but certainly has the potential to do it. Same goes for Baroness.

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