“Kirk Hammett said, ‘Ah, Cannibal Corpse – that’s an interesting name!’” 20 legendary metal bands remember their first shows

Photos of Iron Maiden, Metallica, Nightwish, Slipknot and Killswitch Engage performing live.

The biggest stars in heavy metal were not always the biggest stars in heavy metal. Every band in this grubby little genre had unglamorous beginnings, paying their dues in bars, clubs, youth centres or wherever else they could get a gig. And the below list proves it. Metal Hammer’s compiled the stories of 20 heavy music superstars’ first-ever concerts, featuring Metallica suffering from stage-fright, Iron Maiden in a church and audiences throwing tobacco at Opeth.