The Teutonic Terror tour is coming to Toronto next Wednesday, featuring Kreator and Accept.  Which got me thinking, who are the top Teutonic Terrors–the 10 best German metal bands?  Unlike, say, picking the top Japanese heavy rock bands or the best female-fronted doom troupes, there are a whole lotta options here.  I’ve even come across a couple Top 10 lists where I haven’t heard of 80 per cent of the entries…  Obviously, Germany is known for producing thrash bands in the 80′s and pumping out power metal today, but are there any German doom bands worthy of inclusion, for instance?  Well, I’ll be revealing my list over the next 10 days.  I’ve tried to keep it balanced while still highlighting the country’s strengths, but in the end, it really all comes down to personal preference.

10. Atlantean Kodex

9. Obscura

Quick, name me five German death metal bands.  Unless you hail from Deutschland or you’re a tr00 connoisseur of all things br00tal, you’re probably hard-pressed to do so.  Mind you, if there’s one German death metal band that immediately comes to mind, it’s Obscura.  This Munich death squad has been cranking out the tech-death brutality for roughly a decade, with their latest record, Omnivium, receiving widespread praise.  Take a listen to epic album-opener “Septuagint” below.