Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives
https://forum.metal-archives.com/

Unoriginal band names
https://forum.metal-archives.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=96180		 Page 1 of 3
Author:  Morrigan [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Unoriginal band names
Following a chat discussion regarding band names, just for fun, I pulled this data from M-A's database: it's a list of every band name that has at least 10 bands with the same name (as of today), with the number of bands next to it. The band count is based on bands listed and approved on M-A (so nothing draft or pending), and combines accented versions (such as Némesis in the "Nemesis" count). Top ten most used names are in bold.

1. Nemesis 34
2. Legion 33
3. Requiem 30
4. Oblivion 29
5. Genocide 27
6. Mortuary 27
7. Maelstrom 26
8. Torment 26
9. Necropolis 25
10. Ritual 25
11. Prophecy 23
12. Eclipse 22
13. Necrosis 22
14. Abaddon 21
15. Dementia 21
16. Epitaph 21
17. Armageddon 20
18. Astaroth 20
19. Hatred 20
20. Necropsy 20
21. Orion 20
22. Carnage 19
23. Insanity 19
24. Legacy 19
25. Revenge 19
26. Valhalla 19
27. Aggressor 18
28. Conspiracy 18
29. Decay 18
30. Monolith 18
31. Odium 18
32. Sickness 18
33. Tormentor 18
34. Tyrant 18
35. Warhead 18
36. Betrayer 17
37. Demogorgon 17
38. Insane 17
39. Crypt 16
40. Desecration 16
41. Desecrator 16
42. Entropy 16
43. Infected 16
44. Misery 16
45. Morgue 16
46. Obscure 16
47. Abyss 15
48. Apostasy 15
49. Asgard 15
50. Belial 15
51. Bloodshed 15
52. Damnation 15
53. Hellfire 15
54. Leviathan 15
55. Outrage 15
56. Overload 15
57. Paranoia 15
58. Scythe 15
59. Trauma 15
60. Apocalypse 14
61. Asylum 14
62. Avatar 14
63. Blizzard 14
64. Cerberus 14
65. Decadence 14
66. Deimos 14
67. Desolation 14
68. Destroyer 14
69. Embalmed 14
70. Exile 14
71. Golgotha 14
72. Heresy 14
73. Inferno 14
74. Nightmare 14
75. Overlord 14
76. Stonehenge 14
77. Catharsis 13
78. Cenotaph 13
79. Darkness 13
80. Demise 13
81. Desecrate 13
82. Devastation 13
83. Dies Irae 13
84. Eternal 13
85. Guillotine 13
86. Havoc 13
87. Nefarious 13
88. Prowler 13
89. Purgatory 13
90. Retribution 13
91. Rigor Mortis 13
92. Sacrilegio 13
93. Sarcoma 13
94. Twilight 13
95. Vengeance 13
96. Witchcraft 13
97. Asmodeus 12
98. Condemned 12
99. Curse 12
100. Damage 12
101. Decomposed 12
102. Denial 12
103. Disorder 12
104. Dominion 12
105. Dread 12
106. Ground Zero 12
107. Holocaust 12
108. Infernal 12
109. Midgard 12
110. Necropsia 12
111. Predator 12
112. Putrefaction 12
113. Sacrament 12
114. Scavenger 12
115. Scum 12
116. Silence 12
117. Storm 12
118. Stormbringer 12
119. Ultimatum 12
120. Undertaker 12
121. Vanguard 12
122. Amok 11
123. Anesthesia 11
124. Anguish 11
125. Anubis 11
126. Arsenal 11
127. Azazel 11
128. Cremation 11
129. Cromlech 11
130. Detonator 11
131. Disaster 11
132. Dogma 11
133. Doomsday 11
134. Downfall 11
135. Equinox 11
136. Execution 11
137. Fatality 11
138. Forsaken 11
139. Funeral 11
140. Hate 11
141. Heretic 11
142. Hydra 11
143. Impact 11
144. Imperial 11
145. Imperium 11
146. Martyr 11
147. Medusa 11
148. Midian 11
149. Moloch 11
150. Mordor 11
151. Morpheus 11
152. Mutilation 11
153. Necromancer 11
154. Obscurity 11
155. Pantheon 11
156. Rampage 11
157. Redrum 11
158. Resurrection 11
159. Soulless 11
160. Sudden Death 11
161. Supremacy 11
162. Agony 10
163. Amethyst 10
164. Amnesia 10
165. Andromeda 10
166. Annihilation 10
167. Arise 10
168. Avalon 10
169. Azrael 10
170. Bastard 10
171. Blasphemer 10
172. Braindead 10
173. Brainstorm 10
174. Catalepsy 10
175. Cemetery 10
176. Corruption 10
177. Cryptic 10
178. Debauchery 10
179. Delirium 10
180. Desolate 10
181. Elysium 10
182. Erebus 10
183. Eternity 10
184. Excalibur 10
185. Firestorm 10
186. Frozen 10
187. Hecatomb 10
188. Hellbound 10
189. Hyperion 10
190. Inner Sanctum 10
191. Katharsis 10
192. Legend 10
193. Leprosy 10
194. Mandragora 10
195. Meltdown 10
196. Mercenary 10
197. Necrolust 10
198. Osiris 10
199. Parricide 10
200. Plague 10
201. Rapture 10
202. Reborn 10
203. Revenant 10
204. Silent Scream 10
205. Sovereign 10
206. Stronghold 10
207. Terror 10
208. Thor 10
209. Undead 10
210. Valkyrie 10
211. Vendetta 10
212. Victim 10
213. Vortex 10
214. Whisper 10


So... moral of the story: when picking up a new band name, look it up on this site first. ;)
Author:  Subrick [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Someone now needs to make a band with the name Nemesis Legion.
Author:  ShaolinLambKiller [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Which is exactly what I do, and then I'll google it, and check on other sites like bandcamp, reverb, and ugh... facebook. and then make my call from there. Usually i do my best to use something that no one has ever used but when some techno dance group is using it, or some accoustic bs that hasn't done anything in years... I pull the trigger on using it.
Author:  Morrigan [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
I was looking up the meaning of the word cenotaph (forgot what it meant >_>), and then I realized there's a strange omission from this list: only 5 bands called Tomb. You'd think it'd be more common than, say, "Silent Scream" or "Parricide".
Author:  Morrigan [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Subrick wrote:
Someone now needs to make a band with the name Nemesis Legion.

A band called "Legions of the Nemesis", conceptually themed on the original Legacy of Kain... Now that's fucking metal.

:oh shit:
Author:  Necroticism174 [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
I love that there ten bands that don't know how to spell catharsis.
Author:  MalignantThrone [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Didn't Legion used to be the #1 name, according to the Discordance (or whatever sisters_of_merciless's aggregate site was called)? Or did it only get pushed back to #2 when factoring "Nemesis" bands who used accented Es?
Author:  The_Beast_in_Black [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Few things piss me off more than someone starting a band and picking a name that's already in use.

This was forgivable back in the old days, before the internet, but there's no excuse now, when a quick Google search could tell you if your band name is already taken. It's even worse when people find out that the name is already taken and then say "Oh well, that band is old and probably nobody likes them!" and uses it anyway.
Author:  Subrick [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
When I considering names for the band I'm doing now, I searched Google, Facebook, and the Archives to see if any band had used the name before. Thankfully, I couldn't find a band with the name anywhere on those three sites, so I'm probably the first documented person to have snatched up the name Blasphegram for a band (for the unknowing, it's the symbol from the center of the Morbid Angel logo).
Author:  The_Beast_in_Black [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
I'd go further and check last.fm and RYM too. After that, you're probably in the clear.
Author:  ~Guest 82538 [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Morrigan wrote:
A band called "Legions of the Nemesis", conceptually themed on the original Legacy of Kain... Now that's fucking metal.

:oh shit:

I like the way you think! :nods:
Author:  Wilytank [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Got a bunch of bands named Azrael, Belial, and Asmodeus huh? We've also got the popular band Samael who managed to keep their name for themselves and some German black metal act called Ezekiel. We've got all five named Dark Angels characters going on.
Author:  volutetheswarth [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
I'm genuinely surprised Black, Satan or Devil didn't make the list. I guess because they're mostly used in variations.
Author:  Subrick [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
The_Beast_in_Black wrote:
I'd go further and check last.fm and RYM too. After that, you're probably in the clear.


RYM?
Author:  The_Beast_in_Black [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
http://rateyourmusic.com/
Author:  Subrick [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
A search of both sites yielded no results, meaning that I am indeed the first documented person to use Blasphegram as a band name.
Author:  Metantoine [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Subrick wrote:
The_Beast_in_Black wrote:
I'd go further and check last.fm and RYM too. After that, you're probably in the clear.


RYM?

A google search of "RYM" was quite successful!
Author:  ENKC [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Is it possible we could get these statistics for words contained in a band name (i.e. Morbid, Morbid Angel, Morbid Saint)? One would think the cliches would become even more painfully apparent.
Author:  The_Beast_in_Black [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 12:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Morbid Angel, Morbid Saint, Armored Saint, Armored Angel.

The circle of life.
Author:  Wilytank [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 12:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
The_Beast_in_Black wrote:
Morbid Angel, Morbid Saint, Armored Saint, Armored Angel.

The circle of life.


Where the fuck's my Morbid Armor?
Author:  Senton [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 12:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Great job, I was thinking about this a while ago. I think that 'Chaosphere' ranks up there also with about 9 bands using that name, 6 bands using 'Descent' and 6 bands using 'Malediction'.
Author:  MalignantThrone [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 12:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
You know, it's interesting to note that none of these names are used by any particularly famous bands. You'd think that out of 33 Legions, at least one would rise up and become a semi-notable name, especially considering these names aren't exactly barred off from use yet like, say, "Death" and "Iron Maiden" are (because no band in their right mind would dare to name their band that). So I think the reason these names seem to be so common is because none of the bands with the name have managed to achieve success yet, so another Nemesis comes along and thinks "well, shit, there's nobody using this name who can overshadow us yet!", and takes their shot, and splits up after two demos, and just becomes another one thrown onto the pile.
Author:  ~Guest 226319 [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 12:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Unoriginal band names in metal is like folk musicians playing old songs. It doesn't matter that it isn't original, you are nobly carrying on a cultural tradition for everyone to enjoy.

Excellent insight, MalignantThrone. ^
Author:  nosferatu1234 [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 12:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
The band name Maelstrom was the one in the top 10 that stood out to me the most. Interesting that so many bands name themselves after a violent whirlpool.
Author:  The_Beast_in_Black [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 1:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
MalignantThrone wrote:
You know, it's interesting to note that none of these names are used by any particularly famous bands. You'd think that out of 33 Legions, at least one would rise up and become a semi-notable name, especially considering these names aren't exactly barred off from use yet like, say, "Death" and "Iron Maiden" are (because no band in their right mind would dare to name their band that). So I think the reason these names seem to be so common is because none of the bands with the name have managed to achieve success yet, so another Nemesis comes along and thinks "well, shit, there's nobody using this name who can overshadow us yet!", and takes their shot, and splits up after two demos, and just becomes another one thrown onto the pile.

There's probably a link between uncreative band naming and uncreative music produced.
Author:  dreadmeat [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 1:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
destruction aren't on the list?! :crash:
Author:  Odovacar [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 2:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Morrigan wrote:
Subrick wrote:
Someone now needs to make a band with the name Nemesis Legion.

A band called "Legions of the Nemesis", conceptually themed on the original Legacy of Kain... Now that's fucking metal.

:oh shit:



That needs to happen now! Also, a Blood Omen remake please.
Author:  Subrick [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 2:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
All of my YES. As a HUGE fan of the Legacy of Kain games, I'd buy a (good) album based on them in a heartbeat. It'd hafta be the proper genre for that style though. I'm thinking epic gothic black metal. Certainly a better mixture of style and subject then that deathcore band surrounding Ico and Shadow of the Colossus.
Author:  Morrigan [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 2:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
There's a pending band in the queue that has a single inspired by Soul Reaver, and it even has a cover of Ozar Midrashim (the Information Society song used in Soul Reaver's intro), but it's awful. :(

But yeah, the Legions of the Nemesis were fucking metal:
Spoiler: show
Image
Image
Image


:headbang:
Author:  Evil_Johnny_666 [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 2:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
The bigger bands are probably too big for many other bands to choose the name without knowing their existence. You didn't need the internet to know about Destruction or Death.
Author:  dreadmeat [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 2:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
very bolt thrower :metal:
Author:  Subrick [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 2:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Morrigan wrote:
There's a pending band in the queue that has a single inspired by Soul Reaver, and it even has a cover of Ozar Midrashim (the Information Society song used in Soul Reaver's intro), but it's awful. :(

But yeah, the Legions of the Nemesis were fucking metal:
Spoiler: show
Image
Image
Image


:headbang:


For a little while in 2011 I was writing lyrics for a concept record based on the first Blood Omen. If I ever get around to doing that again, I call dibs on Legions of the Nemesis.
Author:  hakarl [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 2:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Necroticism174 wrote:
I love that there ten bands that don't know how to spell catharsis.

Greek, dude. :durr:

Your post is also missing a word.

Edit: As far as I can judge from wikipedia, katharsis is an accepted spelling in English aswell.
Author:  Morrigan [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 2:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Subrick wrote:
For a little while in 2011 I was writing lyrics for a concept record based on the first Blood Omen. If I ever get around to doing that again, I call dibs on Legions of the Nemesis.

So nerdy, yet so awesome. You have my support, because Blood Omen rules, and it's the most metal game (that doesn't feature actual metal music) ever. :nods:
Author:  Veracs [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 2:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
I've actually never bothered to look up the names, but imagined band names beginning in Dark would be more prevalent as opposed to just single words.
Author:  Necroticism174 [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 2:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
I'm pretty sure somfella's band (Oshiego, I believe) have songs about the series.
Author:  Subrick [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 3:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Morrigan wrote:
Subrick wrote:
For a little while in 2011 I was writing lyrics for a concept record based on the first Blood Omen. If I ever get around to doing that again, I call dibs on Legions of the Nemesis.

So nerdy, yet so awesome. You have my support, because Blood Omen rules, and it's the most metal game (that doesn't feature actual metal music) ever. :nods:


I got 2 songs in before I stopped. I was writing them while watching a playthrough of the game since I haven't played it in a years. Where in the game I got up to I don't exactly remember, but I do remember looking back on the lyrics a few months ago and thinking they were crap. I had written them in some kind of pseudo-King Diamond style with trading dialogue between characters and trying badly to do Cradle of Filth style lyrical poetry stuff and it just reeked of rushed and not very good. I might just throw all the lyrics I wrote a couple years ago out and start over.

Just so you can laugh at how bad they are, here are the lyrics I wrote for presumed track #2: Kain's Murder and Resurrection by Mortanius:


Spoiler: show
Quote:
Rejected from the tavern
The nobleman exits to the street
There he is met by assassins
His dismemberment is not one bit discreet

Roasting in the pits of Hell
Crucified to the souls of the dead
Kain is approached by Mortanius
And this is what they said

Kain:
"Who are you? What is your purpose?"
"I wish to gain my revenge"

Mortanius:
"I am the father of necromancy"
"Listen to my words and your death you shall avenge"

"I will bring you back to the land of the flesh"
"You will destroy those who destroyed you"

Kain listened on with wide eyed awe
Never did he think this proposition through

Kain:
"Are there any conditions to your offer?"
"Will I return just as I was before?

Mortanius:
"I'm afraid that that is not possible"
"But I can see you want to settle the score"

"I will resurrect you as an undead"
"Not yet will be your funeral pyre"
"What I say unto you is that you shall"
"Become a vampire"

Kain's eyes widened at this revelation
Within seconds he spewed forth his decree
"I accept", said he to the necromancer
A living dead forever is he

Awakened in his resting chambers
Kain fights his way back to Earthly lands
He butchers his killers
Their severed heads are held in his hands
Author:  newp [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 3:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Oh bands :lol: Try harder to come up with a name! I do wonder though, with the advent of digital technology and how much easier it is to create, record, and promote, will we eventually reach a point where it becomes near impossible to find an unused name? Especially one that isn't some dumb sentence or a made up world full of garbled consonants?
Author:  Morrigan [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 3:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
Haha, speaking of LoK (hurray, contributing to derailing my own thread), found this too: http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Ba ... oth/157057 :lol: :metal:
Author:  xThe__Wizard [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 3:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unoriginal band names
I'm sure a majority of those bands started before the creation of this website therefore that excludes them from not knowing any better.
Page 1 of 3 All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/