Image: Electric Callboy official press photo
Sometimes bands start their musical journey under a completely different name than the one they later become famous for. Whether it’s due to practical reasons, legal issues, or to better reflect their new sound, a name change can be crucial to a band's career. Here, you’ll find out which 6 metal bands changed their names during their careers and why this step was so important to their success.
1. Black Sabbath - Formerly: “Earth”
In 1968, the band started as “Earth” and mainly played blues-based music. However, since there was already another band with that name, they decided in 1969 to change it to the darker name Black Sabbath, inspired by a horror movie of the same name. With the new name came a new, heavier sound—laying the foundation for what we now know as Heavy Metal.
2. Linkin Park - Formerly “Xero”
Linkin Park began their journey as “Xero”, later changing to “Hybrid Theory”, the name of their debut album, and finally, due to legal reasons, to Linkin Park. The name was a nod to “Lincoln Park” in Santa Monica, but they chose the spelling "Linkin" due to domain issues. This step marked the beginning of their global career—and launched them to the top of the Nu Metal scene.
3. Electric Callboy - Formerly “Eskimo Callboy”
In 2022, “Eskimo Callboy” changed their name to Electric Callboy to distance themselves from the problematic term “Eskimo” and adopt a more neutral language. At the same time, the new name reflected the band’s new, more laid-back sound: less heavy, more fun and party vibes. The name change was not only a step towards inclusivity but also a musical bullseye!
4. Opeth - Formerly “Eruption”
When Mikael Åkerfeldt joined the band in 1990, they changed their name from “Eruption” to Opeth, inspired by the fictional city "Opet" from the novel "The Sunbird" by Wilbur A. Smith. With the new name, the band’s sound also evolved: Opeth shifted from a Death Metal band to a flagship of Progressive Metal, and their complex, dark sound still captivates fans worldwide today.
5. Darkthrone - Formerly “Black Death”
In 1987, the band changed their name from “Black Death" to Darkthrone as they transitioned from Death Metal to Black Metal. The new name perfectly matched their darker, more ominous sound, helping them become pioneers of the Norwegian Black Metal scene.
6. Kreator - Formerly “Tormentor”
The German thrash metal band Kreator started as “Tormentor,” but to avoid confusion with other bands, they changed their name to Kreator in 1984. This decision was key in helping them establish themselves as one of the biggest thrash metal bands in the world.
