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

8. Tankard

7. Running Wild

Not only is Germany home to the greatest beer-metal band of all time, but the preeminent pirate-metal outfit also throws its anchor off the Rhineland’s mighty shores.  Bands like Alestorm, Swashbuckle and Verbal Deception all owe a debt to Running Wild, who first started writing songs about treasure chests and skulls ‘n crossbones back on ’87′s Under Jolly Roger.  Amazingly enough, the ship still sails today, although captain, erm, frontman Rock ‘n Rolf is the only crew-member to have served more than 10 years at sea.  This song, which first appeared on their 2002 release, The Brotherhood, sorta sums it all up: