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Metal Band Names Inspired By Films


This alphabetical list presents bands that took the inspiration for their name from films (movies, tv series, documentaries).

Please feel free to suggest more examples of metal/hard rock band names that are inspired by films.

[Updated 27.05.2024]

Created by: Plattner | 02.12.2023



1. Alien Queen - Matriarch
Aliens (1986): named after the queen of the xenomorphs
2. Alien Weaponry -
District 9 (2009): inspired by the depiction of aliens and their weapons
3. Anaal Nathrakh - The Codex Necro
Excalibur (1981): inspired by Merlin's Charm Of Making; Irish for snake`s breath
4. Austrian Death Machine - Total Brutal
The Terminator (1984): inspired by the actor Arnold Schwarzenegger in his role as Terminator
5. Bhayanak Maut - Bhayanak Maut
Bhayanak Maut (2000): inspired by an Indian horror movie of the same name, which translates to "Horrific Death"
6. Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath (1963): inspired by the scary title
7. Bossk - Audio Noir
The Empire Strikes Back (1980): named after an alien character of the Star Wars fictional universe
8. Bring Me The Horizon - Count Your Blessings
Pirates of the Caribbean:The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003): line by main character Captain Jack Sparrow: "Now, bring me that horizon!"
9. Dethklok - The Dethalbum
Metalocalypse (2006-2013) is an animated series about the fictional metal band Dethklok. The real musicians behind this series released music from or based on the series under this band name.
10. Dom Zły - Rytuał
Dom Zły (2009): inspired by the Polish title, which is The Dark House in the English release
11. Dr. Colossus - The Dank
The Simpsons (tv series since 1989): named after a fictional (mad) scientist that acts as supervillain in several episodes
12. Dream Theater - When Dream And Day Unite
named after an old movie theatre in Monterey, California
13. D.V.C. - Descendant Upheaval
Star Wars (1977) and other movies of this series: D.V.C. stands for Darth Vader's Church and refers to the central Star Wars character Darth Vader
14. Edge Of Sanity - Nothing But Death Remains
Edge Of Sanity (1989): inspired by the film title
15. Elm Street - Barbed Wire Metal
A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984): as reference to the film and the 80`s era in general
16. Evergreen Terrace - Losing All Hope Is Freedom
The Simpsons (tv series since 1989): named after a fictional street where the Simpson family lives
17. Evildead - Annihilation Of Civilization
The Evil Dead (1981): inspired by the film and its title
18. Faster Pussycat - Faster Pussycat
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965): inspired by the movie title
19. Five Finger Death Punch - The Way Of The Fist
Kill Bill:Volume 2 (2004): the name of the fictional martial arts move shown in the movie is Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique, which was changed to Five Finger Death Punch by the band
20. Fu Manchu - No One Rides For Free
The Adventures Of Dr. Fu Manchu (tv series 1956) and corresponding movies: named after the 1950`s films about the villain Dr. Fu Manchu, based on the novels series (1913-1959) by Sax Rohmer
21. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - F♯ A♯ ∞
Godspeed You! Black Emperor (1976): Japanese documentary about a group of motorcyclists called the Black Emperors
22. Gojira - Terra Incognita
Godzilla (1954): Gojira refers to the original Japanese pronunciation of Godzilla
23. Happy Days - Melancholic Memories
Happy Days (tv series 1974-1984): this depressive black metal band was inspired by the name of the sitcom
24. Hoth - Infinite Darkness
The Empire Strikes Back (1980): Hoth is an ice planet in the Star Wars fictional universe
25. Ikarie - Cuerpos En Sombra
Ikarie XB-1 (1963): Ikarie XB 1 is the eponymous starship of a Czechoslovakian science-fiction movie
26. Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden
The Man In The Iron Mask (1939): inspired by the torture device shown in the movie
27. Killswitch Engage - Killswitch Engage
The X-Files (tv series 1993-2002/2016-2018): named after the episode Kill Switch of The X-Files (season 5, episode 11), which itself was named after the band Kill Switch…Klick (1998)
28. Lord Vigo - Under Carpathian Sun
Ghostbusters II (1989): Lord Vigo von Homburg Deutschendorf is a Ghostbusters II character
29. Make Them Die Slowly - Ferox
Cannibal Ferrox (1981): inspired by the English name version of the horror movie: Make Them Die Slowly
30. Manilla Road - Invasion
Monty Python's Flying Circus (tv series 1969-1974): indirectly inspired; it has been reported that Munkirs and Shelton came up with the name (that meant "Road of Light" to them) while drinking and watching the series
31. Misfits - Walk Among Us
The Misfits (1961): inspired by the movie title
32. Mogwai - Mogwai Young Team
Gremlins (1984): Mogwais are the cute primary form of the creatures that can transform into the gremlins
33. Motorpsycho - Lobotomizer
Motorpsycho (1965): inspired by the movie title
34. Mr. Bungle - Mr. Bungle
The Pee-Wee Herman Show (1981) and subsequent films: inspired by the eponymous character
35. Nicolas Cage Fighter - The Bones That Grew From Pain
named after the actor Nicolas Cage
36. Nostromo - Argue
Aliens (1986): named after the starship (which was named after the eponymous character from Joseph Conrad's novel Nostromo from 1904)
37. Okilly Dokilly - Howdilly Doodilly
The Simpsons (tv series since 1989): named after the typical way of speaking by the fictional character Ned Flanders
38. Rolo Tomassi - Hysterics
L.A. Confidential (1997): named after a pseudonym of a character mentioned in the movie
39. Spawn Of Possession - Cabinet
Possession (1981) and Amityville II:The Possession (1982): Inspired by the movie names and the song title "Spawn Of Azathoth" by Grotesque (Incantation, 1990)
40. Spock's Beard - The Light
Star Treck episode "Mirror, Mirror" (season 2, episode 4, 1967): episode plays in a parallel universe with a bearded Officer Spock
41. Stovokor - Metal Of Honor
Star Treck series (since 1966): Stovokor is a transcription of Sto'Vo'Kor or Suto'vo'qor, which is the Klingon equivalent to Valhalla
42. Susperia - Predominance
Suspiria (1977): inspired by the horror film Suspiria; the group changed the spelling to Susperia to avoid confusion with the corresponding gothic rock band
43. Tanith - In Another Time
The Devil Rides Out (1968): inspired by the name of the female character (based on the novel of Dennis Wheatley)
44. TesseracT - Concealing Fate
Cube2:Hypercube (2002): this math metal band was inspired by the tesseract mentioned in the movie
45. The Damned - Damned Damned Damned
The Damned (1969): inspired by the movie title
46. The Dillinger Escape Plan - Calculating Infinity
inspired by a documentary about John Dillinger, who was a 1930s bank robber known for his multiple escapes from jail
47. The Gathering - Always...
Highlander (1986): based on the gathering of all immortals
48. The Number Twelve Looks Like You - Put On Your Rosy Red Glasses
The Twilight Zone (tv series 1959-1964): named after an episode (season 5, episode 17) of the television series (1964)
49. Vader - The Ultimate Incantation
Star Wars (1977) and other movies of this series: named after the central character Darth Vader
50. Voorhees - Chapter One
Friday The 13th (1980) and other movies of this series: named after the main antagonist Jason Voorhees
51. White Zombie - Soul-Crusher
White Zombie (1932): inspired by the movie, which is regarded as one of the first feature length zombie films
52. Wo Fat - The Gathering Dark
Hawaii Five-O (tv series 1968-1980): inspired by Wo Fat, who was the villainous character of the series



Disclaimer: All top lists are unofficial and do not represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
[ More lists by Plattner ]



Comments

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Comments: 35   Visited by: 105 users
02.12.2023 - 23:09
Plattner
Please feel free to suggest more examples of metal/hard rock band names that are inspired by films.
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02.12.2023 - 23:13
JoHn Doe
The Gathering - Always...
Highlander (1986): Based on the gathering of all immortals

I doubt the movie Highlander inspired the name of the band. Is there a source for that statement?
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I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
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02.12.2023 - 23:26
Plattner
Written by JoHn Doe on 02.12.2023 at 23:13

The Gathering - Always...
Highlander (1986): Based on the gathering of all immortals

I doubt the movie Highlander inspired the name of the band. Is there a source for that statement?


Thank you for your question, JoHn Doe.

Frank Boeijen said in an interview on the origins of the name of the band:

"The name the Gathering has been made like eleven years ago when we started this band. We were all between 15 and 17. We were watching a lot of movies those days. One of the movies spoke about immortality and that you could kill the immortals with cutting their head off. In the first part of the movie, they speak a lot about the gathering. There will be a gathering once with all the immortals. We thought it was a nice name for a band, and that's how we created this name. And you can feel it's a cool name for five people who come together to make fine music."
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02.12.2023 - 23:29
JoHn Doe
Written by Plattner on 02.12.2023 at 23:26

Written by JoHn Doe on 02.12.2023 at 23:13

The Gathering - Always...
Highlander (1986): Based on the gathering of all immortals

I doubt the movie Highlander inspired the name of the band. Is there a source for that statement?


Thank you for your question, JoHn Doe.

Frank Boeijen said in an interview on the origins of the name of the band:

"The name the Gathering has been made like eleven years ago when we started this band. We were all between 15 and 17. We were watching a lot of movies those days. One of the movies spoke about immortality and that you could kill the immortals with cutting their head off. In the first part of the movie, they speak a lot about the gathering. There will be a gathering once with all the immortals. We thought it was a nice name for a band, and that's how we created this name. And you can feel it's a cool name for five people who come together to make fine music."


Interesting. I've never associated the movie with the name of the band.
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I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
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03.12.2023 - 00:02
Plattner
Written by JoHn Doe on 02.12.2023 at 23:29

Written by Plattner on 02.12.2023 at 23:26

Written by JoHn Doe on 02.12.2023 at 23:13

The Gathering - Always...
Highlander (1986): Based on the gathering of all immortals

I doubt the movie Highlander inspired the name of the band. Is there a source for that statement?


Thank you for your question, JoHn Doe.

Frank Boeijen said in an interview on the origins of the name of the band:

"The name the Gathering has been made like eleven years ago when we started this band. We were all between 15 and 17. We were watching a lot of movies those days. One of the movies spoke about immortality and that you could kill the immortals with cutting their head off. In the first part of the movie, they speak a lot about the gathering. There will be a gathering once with all the immortals. We thought it was a nice name for a band, and that's how we created this name. And you can feel it's a cool name for five people who come together to make fine music."


Interesting. I've never associated the movie with the name of the band.



I would not have seen the link either. This also shows that bands inspired by films do not need to act like music-versions of the corresponding movie. Often there is just a single aspect of the movie that functions as spark of inspiration.
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03.12.2023 - 00:05
Blackcrowe
Fu Manchu
Goldfinger
Motorpsycho
Legs Diamond
Duran Duran 👍






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Maybe as his eyes are wide.
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03.12.2023 - 00:15
Plattner
Written by Blackcrowe on 03.12.2023 at 00:05

Fu Manchu
Goldfinger
Motorpsycho
Legs Diamond
Duran Duran 👍









Thank you for your interesting suggestions, Blackcrowe.
I will try to add them to the list.
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05.12.2023 - 22:31
Plattner
Written by Blackcrowe on 03.12.2023 at 00:05

Fu Manchu
Goldfinger
Motorpsycho
Legs Diamond
Duran Duran 👍









Thank you for your interesting suggestions, Blackcrowe.
I have added Fu Manchu and Motorpsycho to the list.
I guess Duran Duran and Golfinger are possibly not easy to include on a MS list. However, I would like to include Legs Diamond, but currently I am not sure if their name comes from the movie or directly from the historic person (and therefore would be independent from the movie)
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06.12.2023 - 01:05
Blackcrowe
👍👍👍
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Maybe as his eyes are wide.
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06.12.2023 - 02:11
tintinb
Bhayanak Maut.

Bhayanak Maut is an Indian metal band from Mumbai. The band's name was inspired by a B-Grade Hindi horror movie of the same name, which translates to "Horrific Death".
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Leeches everywhere.
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06.12.2023 - 06:21
Plattner
Written by tintinb on 06.12.2023 at 02:11

Bhayanak Maut.

Bhayanak Maut is an Indian metal band from Mumbai. The band's name was inspired by a B-Grade Hindi horror movie of the same name, which translates to "Horrific Death".


Thank you very much, tintinb. I have added your suggestion to the list.
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11.12.2023 - 22:25
Pavel_K
Are the Star Wars-inspired bands like Vader or Hoth eligible for the list? I'm pretty sure there should be quite a few of those
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11.12.2023 - 23:43
Plattner
Written by Pavel_K on 11.12.2023 at 22:25

Are the Star Wars-inspired bands like Vader or Hoth eligible for the list? I'm pretty sure there should be quite a few of those



Thank you very much, Pavel_K. I have added your interesting suggestions to the list.
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12.12.2023 - 13:16
Starvynth
i c deaf people
Staff
Time for some more nerdy and silly stuff...

Stovokor is a transcription of Sto'Vo'Kor or Suto'vo'qor, the Klingon Valhalla.
'Ikarie XB 1' is the eponymous starship of a Czechoslovakian science-fiction movie from 1963.
'Lord Vigo von Homburg Deutschendorf' is a Ghostbusters II character.
Goregamel is heavily inspired by Gargamel, the villain in The Smurfs films and TV series.
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signatures = SPAM
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12.12.2023 - 20:02
Plattner
Written by Starvynth on 12.12.2023 at 13:16

Time for some more nerdy and silly stuff...

Stovokor is a transcription of Sto'Vo'Kor or Suto'vo'qor, the Klingon Valhalla.
'Ikarie XB 1' is the eponymous starship of a Czechoslovakian science-fiction movie from 1963.
'Lord Vigo von Homburg Deutschendorf' is a Ghostbusters II character.
Goregamel is heavily inspired by Gargamel, the villain in The Smurfs films and TV series.



Thank you very much, Starvynth. I have added Stovokor, Ikarie and Lord Vigo to the list. I do not know Goregamel, but they seem to be quite special - and therefore it may seem also a bit nerdy to ask: Do you know if their name was inspired by the movies/series or the comics (or is it not possible to distinguish)? Thank you.
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12.12.2023 - 23:09
Starvynth
i c deaf people
Staff
Written by Plattner on 12.12.2023 at 20:02
I do not know Goregamel, but they seem to be quite special - and therefore it may seem also a bit nerdy to ask: Do you know if their name was inspired by the movies/series or the comics (or is it not possible to distinguish)?

This is actually a very good question. Given that the TV series and films are well-known virtually all over the world, I assumed that this must be the origin of the name, but also the comics are available in many countries, including Israel, the band's home country...
You know what? I'll just ask the band's vocalist, who happens to be a Metal Storm member.
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signatures = SPAM
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13.12.2023 - 06:07
Plattner
Written by Starvynth on 12.12.2023 at 23:09

Written by Plattner on 12.12.2023 at 20:02
I do not know Goregamel, but they seem to be quite special - and therefore it may seem also a bit nerdy to ask: Do you know if their name was inspired by the movies/series or the comics (or is it not possible to distinguish)?

This is actually a very good question. Given that the TV series and films are well-known virtually all over the world, I assumed that this must be the origin of the name, but also the comics are available in many countries, including Israel, the band's home country...
You know what? I'll just ask the band's vocalist, who happens to be a Metal Storm member.


Cool answer and cool idea.

I will have a listen to the music of the band.

I would add them to this film list or the literature/book list, where I have also included bands inspired by comics.
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13.12.2023 - 09:24
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden actually it was real torture device dating back medieval days
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I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens.

Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''
apos;'
[image]
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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13.12.2023 - 10:17
Plattner
Written by Bad English on 13.12.2023 at 09:24

Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden actually it was real torture device dating back medieval days


Steve Harris said that he got the idea from the movie (interview with Sound 1979) :
"Did you ever see the film 'The Man In The Iron Mask'? Well I saw it on television and that's when the name first occurred to me. Although strictly speaking I believe an actual 'Iron Maiden' is an altogether more vicious torture device ... you know, it's a metal case with these nails set inside of it and if you fasten it over someone's head they get kind of spiked. Very unpleasant."
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13.12.2023 - 10:18
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
Written by Plattner on 13.12.2023 at 10:17

Written by Bad English on 13.12.2023 at 09:24

Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden actually it was real torture device dating back medieval days


Steve Harris said that he got the idea from the movie (interview with Sound 1979) :
"Did you ever see the film 'The Man In The Iron Mask'? Well I saw it on television and that's when the name first occurred to me. Although strictly speaking I believe an actual 'Iron Maiden' is an altogether more vicious torture device ... you know, it's a metal case with these nails set inside of it and if you fasten it over someone's head they get kind of spiked. Very unpleasant."



Yes I have seen it long time ago. But I know such torture thing is real, not movie trick
----
I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens.

Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''
apos;'
[image]
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
Loading...
13.12.2023 - 10:21
JoHn Doe
Written by Bad English on 13.12.2023 at 10:18

Written by Plattner on 13.12.2023 at 10:17

Written by Bad English on 13.12.2023 at 09:24

Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden actually it was real torture device dating back medieval days


Steve Harris said that he got the idea from the movie (interview with Sound 1979) :
"Did you ever see the film 'The Man In The Iron Mask'? Well I saw it on television and that's when the name first occurred to me. Although strictly speaking I believe an actual 'Iron Maiden' is an altogether more vicious torture device ... you know, it's a metal case with these nails set inside of it and if you fasten it over someone's head they get kind of spiked. Very unpleasant."



Yes I have seen it long time ago. But I know such torture thing is real, not movie trick



who said it's a movie trick?!
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I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
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13.12.2023 - 10:30
Plattner
Written by Bad English on 13.12.2023 at 10:18

Written by Plattner on 13.12.2023 at 10:17

Written by Bad English on 13.12.2023 at 09:24

Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden actually it was real torture device dating back medieval days


Steve Harris said that he got the idea from the movie (interview with Sound 1979) :
"Did you ever see the film 'The Man In The Iron Mask'? Well I saw it on television and that's when the name first occurred to me. Although strictly speaking I believe an actual 'Iron Maiden' is an altogether more vicious torture device ... you know, it's a metal case with these nails set inside of it and if you fasten it over someone's head they get kind of spiked. Very unpleasant."



Yes I have seen it long time ago. But I know such torture thing is real, not movie trick



Indeed, those torture devices do exist. There is a debate about some 19th century examples with long spikes, which may be composed as exaggerated interpretations of the Medieval ones just to scare visitors. The few reports about actual iron maidens from Classical antiquity and Medieval times seem to indicate that they had shorter nails for torture and not killing. But in either case, they were horrible devices.
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13.12.2023 - 12:48
RaduP
CertifiedHipster
Staff
Rolo Tomassi taken from a plot point from L.A. Confidential.
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Do you think if the heart keeps on shrinking
One day there will be no heart at all?
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13.12.2023 - 12:49
Nejde
CommunityManager
Moderator
Nostromo - The ship in the original Alien.
Bossk - Bounty hunter from the Star Wars universe, seen among the other bounty hunters in The Empire Strikes Back
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13.12.2023 - 13:36
Plattner
Written by RaduP on 13.12.2023 at 12:48

Rolo Tomassi taken from a plot point from L.A. Confidential.


Thank you very much, RaduP. I have added your suggestion to the list.
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13.12.2023 - 13:53
Plattner
Written by Nejde on 13.12.2023 at 12:49

Nostromo - The ship in the original Alien.
Bossk - Bounty hunter from the Star Wars universe, seen among the other bounty hunters in The Empire Strikes Back


Thank you very much for your suggestions, Nejde. I have added them to the list.
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16.12.2023 - 23:51
no one
Happy Days - taken from the TV series happy days ironically.
Okilly Dokilly - Flanders off Simpsons obviously.
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Unable to connect to the database
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17.12.2023 - 00:34
Plattner
Written by no one on 16.12.2023 at 23:51

Happy Days - taken from the TV series happy days ironically.
Okilly Dokilly - Flanders off Simpsons obviously.



Thank you very much, no one. I have added your suggestions to the list.
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17.12.2023 - 07:30
no one
Isengard - taken from lord of the rings...also
Falls Rauros
Cirith Gorgor
Gorgoroth
Burzum
Amon Amarth
Druadan Forest

........and the list goes on and on
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Unable to connect to the database
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17.12.2023 - 08:30
Plattner
Written by no one on 17.12.2023 at 07:30

Isengard - taken from lord of the rings...also
Falls Rauroes
Cirith Gorgor
Gorgoroth
Burzum
Amon Amarth
Druadan Forest

........and the list goes on and on


Thank you so much for your interest and your suggestions, no one.
The bands you have mentioned here took their inspiration from the books and not the films (as far as I have seen).
I have a list for band names inspired by books:
https://metalstorm.net/users/list.php?list_id=7982

I will check if I have them there or if they are still missing in the book list.

Thank you again, no one.
👍
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