Metal Bands of the East Coast Trivia Quiz

Answer: Extreme

Extreme was most successful after their 1990 album "Pornograffitti" went double platinum in the United States. "More Than Words" came from that album and it reached number one as a single on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts. "Play With Me", which had appeared in both the movie "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" and the video game "Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s", is remembered for its opening guitar riff and solos taken from Mozart's "Alla Turca".

When Extreme temporarily disbanded in 1996, frontman Gary Cherone joined Van Halen and sang on the group's 1997 album "Van Halen III". Cherone left Van Halen in 1999 and Extreme got back together in 2004.

Answer: Dream Theater

Although Dream Theater is one of the most popular progressive metal bands, they have not had much mainstream success in America. Their biggest hit was "Pull Me Under", released from their 1992 "Images and Words" album. It peaked tenth on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks charts after it was played frequently on radio air waves and MTV constantly showed their music video for it at the time. Lead guitarist John Petrucci, known for his shredding skills, has appeared in Joe Satriani's guitar concert tour G3.

Answer: Fates Warning

Fates Warning was one of the first progressive metal bands, but they are not well-known in the United States. Their most commercially successful album was the 1988 album "No Exit", but it only reached 111th on The US Billboard 200. In the liner notes for the expanded edition of their album "Awaken the Guardian", Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy said "very often fans and critics credit Dream Theater for creating a whole new genre of progressive metal music in the late '80s/early '90s... but the truth is Fates Warning were doing it years before us".

(Source: wikipedia.org)

Answer: Anthrax

Anthrax is the only "big four thrash" band to have formed on the east coast. The other three (Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer) were formed in California. Anthrax collaborated with hip hop group Public Enemy for their well-known song "Bring the Noise", which combined the sounds of both hip hop and heavy metal. When the anthrax attacks broke out in the United States in 2001, the band of the same name as a joke issued a press release stating they should change their name to "something more friendly, like 'Basket Full of Puppies'." To end these rumors of a name change, Anthrax performed at the New York Steel 9/11 Benefit Concert wearing boiler suits which spelled out "WE'RE NOT CHANGING OUR NAME".

(Source: wiki.org)

Answer: Twisted Sister

Twisted Sister was known for their glam rock look with heavy metal sound. The band appeared in the children's movie "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure". This created controversy because of a scene that showed the production of their fictional music video for their real song "Burn in Hell". Even though the music video was meant to be funny, it was deemed inappropriate by the Parents Music Resource Center because it promoted violence. Dee Snider ended up testifying to the United States Senate to defend the music video in 1985. Twisted Sister was one of many bands that were called out by the Parents Music Resource Center which ultimately led to "parental advisory" labels being put on albums deemed inappropriate for children by the organization.

Answer: Overkill

Overkill was one of the more successful east coast thrash metal bands in the 1980s. The band got their name from Motörhead's 1979 album "Overkill".

Answer: Symphony X

Symphony X is known for their use of symphonic elements and neo-classical sounds. Michael Romeo has a recording studio in his house called The Dungeon, where the band has recorded it albums.

Answer: Death

Death was one of the most influential American death metal bands. As the band developed through the years, their music changed from a raw sound to more of a progressive sound. This led lead guitarist and primary song writer Chuck Shuldiner to form another band, Control Denied.

While Control Denied still had many elements of death metal in their music, they were considered a progressive metal band due to the lack of growling vocals which was prominent in death metal. Both Death and Control Denied were disbanded after Chuck Shuldiner died of brain cancer in 2001.

Answer: Kamelot

Kamelot is well-known for their concept albums along with their use of guest musicians. The 2005 album "The Black Halo" was the second part in a two-part concept album that was based on Goethe's "Faust"; part one was the 2003 album "Epica". Some guest musicians on "The Black Halo" included singer of Norwegian black metal band Dimmu Borgir Shagrath, singer of Dutch symphonic metal band Epica Simone Simons, and keyboardist for Finnish power metal band Stratovarius Jens Johansson.

Answer: Iced Earth

Jon Schaffer originally wanted Iced Earth to be called Purgatory, but he was unable to use that name since there was already a band with that name at the time. Iced Earth has had many well-known musicians join the band at one point or another. Some former members of Iced Earth include Judas Priest singer Tim "Ripper" Owens and Death drummer Richard Christy. Jon Schaffer started a side project with Blind Guardian singer Hansi Kürsch called Demons & Wizards in 1998.