I thought about posting this in the global music section since most of the bands I know of are non-Japanese and metal, but decided to put it here anyway. Mods feel free to move it if you think that's best.
This is a thead without any originality whatsoever. Llet me just start off by explaining what this thread is about. This isn't a band that went in the same direction as band X, that stole a few riffs or perhaps a whole song or just covered a song or ten. This is about bands that does everything in their power to sound exactly like their heroes, and most importantly, don't try to hide it one bit, while making original music. So no, Sadie, 12012 and all those doesn't belong in this thread. Anyone got any bands like this?
It would be much appreciated if you could include the names of the copycats and originals, write a little something about what's so similar
I'll start off with a few:
Warrhammer (Hellhammer)
This is basically a fanatic Hellhammer tribute band that writes their own songs. They have one rule, and one rule only: to sound as much like Hellhammer as possible. In interviews they often talked about how they spent years to gather the proper equipment to resemble the production (guitar tone, bass tone, drum sound etc.) as perfectly as possible, and - despite the albums' popularity - they often disown their earlier material for not sounding similar enough to Hellhammer.
The sound is very similar both song- and production-wise, and their coverarts, logo, and album titles refrence those of Hellhammer
The copycat
The original
Apokalyptic Raids (Hellhammer/Celtic Frost)
Same as above, just not as fanatic. But the sound is similar, and their coverarts, logo, and album titles refrence those of Hellhammer and Celtic Frost (the continuation of Hellhammer). These guys have a bit more of their own sound than Warhammer, though, but still to be considered copycats. Very much so.
The copycat
The Original
Hellfire (Bathoy)
Bathory copycat to the core. The album sounds like a lost Bathory album from 84/85, especially the first 3/4th of the album.
The copycat
The original
Insane (Slayer)
These guys can't get enough of "Show No Mercy" and decided to make something that sounded like it was written by Slayer in 82, but not considered good enough by Slayer.
The copycat
The original
I'll come back with more.