Megadeth

A band that has included the finest soloists in thrash shred guitar would already deserve its place in the metal pantheon. But apart from the likes of Marty Friedman, Chris Poland, Al Pitrelli and Chris Broderick, Megadeth is mainly about Dave Mustaine, the ultimate metal all-rounder. He can shred in a very twisted and technical way, but his creeping and edgy riffs are second to none, with right-hand energy to spare.