Metallica voted the best rock group of the last 30 years

The 'All Nightmare Long' group topped the poll compiled by British magazine Kerrang! of the most influential groups of the last 30 years, beating My Chemical Romance, Slipknot, Green Day and Foo Fighters.

Drummer Lars Ulrich said: "it gives me a very warm and fuzzy feeling that Kerrang! Magazine have voted Metallica as the band that most changed their lives. I remember the first issue of the magazine in 1981. I had made a pilgrimage to England because I was obsessed with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. I travelled all over the country and that first issue accompanied me everywhere."

Lars also paid tribute to 'Powerslave' group Iron Maiden, who came in at number three on the list, behind Green Day.

He said: "Iron Maiden have been the blueprint for everything that we have ever wanted to do."

Ozzy Osbourne is at number nine on the list with the magazine declaring: "That Ozzy is even alive today is enough to warrant his inclusion on the list, so herculean has his drug and alcohol intake been over the years."

The poll is included in a birthday issue of Kerrang! Magazine which is out next week, celebrating 30 years since the magazine launched in June 1981.

Kerrang! 30 Rocks! bands, top ten:

1. Metallica
2. Green day
3. Iron Maiden
4. Slipknot
5. My Chemical Romance
6. Linkin Park
7. Bullet for my Valentine
8. Blink 182
9. Ozzy Osbourne
10. Foo Fighters

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